登陆注册
5590700000050

第50章 And Jill Finds It Out(3)

"I never saw such a fellow for keeping a promise!You stick to it through thick and thin,no matter how silly or hard it is.You remember,mother,last summer,how you told him not to go in a boat and he promised,the day we went on the picnic.We rode up,but the horse ran off home,so we had to come back by way of the river,all but Jack,and he walked every step of five miles because he wouldn't go near a boat,though Mr.Burton was there to take care of him.I call that rather overdoing the matter";and Frank looked as if he thought moderation even in virtue a good thing.

"And I call it a fine sample of entire obedience.He obeyed orders,and that is what we all must do,without always seeing why,or daring to use our own judgment.It is a great safeguard to Jack,and a very great comfort to me;for I know that if he promises he will keep his word,no matter what it costs him,"said Mamma warmly,as she tumbled up the quirls with an irrepressible caress,remembering how the boy came wearily in after all the others,without seeming for a moment to think that he could have done anything else.

"Like Casabianca!"cried Jill,much impressed,for obedience was her hardest trial.

"I think he was a fool to burn up,"said Frank,bound not to give in.

"I don't.It's a splendid piece,and everyone likes to speak it,and it was true,and it wouldn't be in all the books if he was a fool.

Grown people know what is good,"declared Jill,who liked heroic actions,and was always hoping for a chance to distinguish herself in that way.

"You admire 'The Charge of the Light Brigade,'and glow all over as you thunder it out.Yet they went gallantly to their death rather than disobey orders.A mistake,perhaps,but it makes us thrill to hear of it;and the same spirit keeps my Jack true as steel when once his word is passed,or he thinks it is his duty.Don't be laughed out of it,my son,for faithfulness in little things fits one for heroism when the great trials come.One's conscience can hardly be too tender when honor and honesty are concerned.""You are right,mother,and I am wrong.I beg your pardon,Jack,and you sha'n't get ahead of me next time."Frank made his mother a little bow,gave his brother a shake of the hand,and nodded to Jill,as if anxious to show that he was not too proud to own up when he made a mistake.

"Please tell on,Jack.This is very nice,but I do want to know all about the other,"said Jill,after a short pause.

"Let me see.Oh,I saw Bob at church,and he looked rather blue;so,after Sunday School,I asked what the matter was.He said Jerry bothered him for some money he lent him at different times when they were loafing round together,before we took him up.He wouldn't get any wages for some time.The Captain keeps him short on purpose,I guess,and won't let him come down town except on Sundays.He didn't want anyone to know about it,for fear he'd lose his place.So I promised I wouldn't tell.Then I was afraid Jerry would go and make a fuss,and Bob would run off,or do something desperate,being worried,and I said I'd pay it for him,if I could.So he went home pretty jolly,and I scratched 'round for the money.Got it,too,and wasn't I glad?"Jack paused to rub his hands,and Frank said,with more than usual respect,"Couldn't you get hold of Jerry in any other place,and out of school time?That did the mischief,thanks to Joe.I thrashed him,Jill--did I mention it?""I couldn't get all my money till Friday morning,and I knew Jerry was off at night.I looked for him before school,and at noon,but couldn't find him,so afternoon recess was my last chance.I was bound to do it and I didn't mean to break the rule,but Jerry was just going into the shop,so I pelted after him,and as it was private business we went to the billiard-room.I declare I never was so relieved as when I handed over that money,and made him say it was all right,and he wouldn't go near Bob.He's off,so my mind is easy,and Bob will be so grateful I can keep him steady,perhaps.

That will be worth two seventy-five,I think,"said Jack heartily.

"You should have come to me,"began Frank.

"And got laughed at--no,thank you,"interrupted Jack,recollecting several philanthropic little enterprises which were nipped in the bud for want of co-operation.

"To me,then,"said his mother."It would have saved so much trouble.""I thought of it,but Bob didn't want the big fellows to know for fear they'd be down on him,so I thought he might not like me to tell grown people.I don't mind the fuss now,and Bob is as kind as he can be.Wanted to give me his big knife,but I wouldn't take it.

I'd rather have this,"and Jack put the letter in his pocket with a slap outside,as if it warmed the cockles of his heart to have it there.

"Well,it seems rather like a tempest in a teapot,now it is all over,but I do admire your pluck,little boy,in holding out so well when everyone was scolding at you,and you in the right all the time,"said Frank,glad to praise,now that he honestly could,after his wholesale condemnation.

"That is what pulled me through,I suppose.I used to think if I had done anything wrong,that I couldn't stand the snubbing a day.I should have told right off,and had it over.Now,I guess I'll have a good report if you do tell Mr.Acton,"said Jack,looking at his mother so wistfully,that she resolved to slip away that very evening,and make sure that the thing was done.

"That will make you happier than anything else,won't it?"asked Jill,eager to have him rewarded after his trials.

"There's one thing I like better,though I'd be very sorry to lose my report.It's the fun of telling Ed I tried to do as he wanted us to,and seeing how pleased he'll be,"added Jack,rather bashfully,for the boys laughed at him sometimes for his love of this friend.

"I know he won't be any happier about it than someone else,who stood by you all through,and set her bright wits to work till the trouble was all cleared away,"said Mrs.Minot,looking at Jill's contented face,as she lay smiling on them all.

Jack understood,and,hopping across the room,gave both the thin hands a hearty shake;then,not finding any words quite cordial enough in which to thank this faithful little sister,he stooped down and kissed her gratefully.

同类推荐
  • 得道梯橙锡杖经

    得道梯橙锡杖经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 浙东纪略

    浙东纪略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 水镜录

    水镜录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare

    Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 与文征明书

    与文征明书

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 神探王妃:王爷独宠小萌妃

    神探王妃:王爷独宠小萌妃

    [神探大小姐vs腹黑世子爷,宠文,悬疑,1v1]某日,沐依然心血来潮问某人:“都说情人眼里出西施,那在你眼里我其实是不是没有你说的那么糟糕?”某人:“嗯,如果没有那么贪吃,孩子气,矮,时不时的智商不在线的话。”沐依然“......”我忍,眨巴着眼睛看着,“那你猜我眼里出什么啊?”某人认真的盯着沐依然的眼睛看了会儿:“眼屎。”某女累觉不爱......
  • 苍天有泪之无语问苍天

    苍天有泪之无语问苍天

    在一夕之间,雨凤和雨鹃这对绝色的姐妹,竟尝尽人间最大的悲剧!展家二少爷的一把火,烧毁了寄傲山庄、烧死了父亲、更烧掉全部的希望。带着三个年幼的弟妹,纤弱的雨凤和倔强的雨鹃怎么挑得起这样沉重的担子?接着,又会有什么不同的命运降临在她们身上?问苍天,天无语......
  • 七界冥王

    七界冥王

    千年前被玉真子封印的天魔终于复出,各式妖魔重现大陆,三把魔剑再现六界。修者的路途艰难茫远,进雪雾山庄遇活死人,入百尸魔人洞闯七门。学院对决,游走六界,魔巢偷剑,亲兄弟生死对决……
  • 贤劫十六尊

    贤劫十六尊

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 妃唱浣歌

    妃唱浣歌

    穿越到古代,别的她没觉得有什么太大不习惯,最不习惯的就是没有公车,甚至有钱也打不到的,所以啦,打到可以实现的黄包车的主意,千年的古代,黄包车是什么概念?那绝对是一个划时代的意义啊,她,一个淡淡中带着幽默细胞的女孩,有着怎样致命的诱惑,令王者为之倾心?
  • 读孙子兵法学做人做事

    读孙子兵法学做人做事

    你想学到《孙子兵法》中做人做事的成功之道吗?本书结合《孙子兵法》,融入现代处世技巧,全面揭示了做人做事的密码,剖析了聪明人做人做事的准则。相信你一定会从中受益,把书中的技巧和方法运用到生活中,更好地把握人生的主动,在人生之路上走得更加扎实,更加稳健,造就自己辉煌的人生。
  • 卡耐基给青少年的11条处世技巧

    卡耐基给青少年的11条处世技巧

    这是一本集结了成功大师的传世智语。真诚+宽容+技巧=成功处世,将别人的教训作为自己的经验,就可以避免自己的教训成为别人的经验,阅读此书,将使你终身受益。
  • 欢喜冤家的幸福生活

    欢喜冤家的幸福生活

    他们误打误撞,不想却擦出了火花
  • 斗罗之冰皇主宰

    斗罗之冰皇主宰

    本书是新书,有什么不好的地方请各位大佬请教.同时本书不是无敌小说.欢迎评论!而且这是一样的斗罗二,却是不一样的剧情。比主角更先来到史莱克到底会发生怎么样剧情。欢迎你们来看
  • 步步逼婚:权少恋妻成瘾

    步步逼婚:权少恋妻成瘾

    宋池生说:“当年遇见你看你的第一眼,我就万劫不复了。”他们相遇于旧金山,“喂,你这个女人怎么那么不识好歹!”恋爱于旧金山,“穆倾城,小爷我这辈子就喜欢你一个了,你想想怎么对我负责吧。”分别也于旧金山,“穆倾城,我情愿这辈子没遇见过你。”只是,当疑云慢慢散出,剥露出明晃晃的真相时,两人又该何去何从。这个世界因为有了你,所以才多出了一个我。