You look as tired as if you 'd been ten miles , '' said Jill , hoping to discover the length of the trip . `` Had to . Four or five miles is n't much , only my leg bothered me ; '' and Jack gave the ailing member a slap , as if he had found it much in his way that day ; for , though he had given up the crutches long ago , he rather missed their support sometimes . Then , with a great yawn , he stretched himself out to bask in the blaze , pillowing his head on his arms . `` Dear old thing , he looks all used up ; I wo n't plague him with talking ; '' and Jill began to sing , as she often did in the twilight . By the time the first song ended a gentle snore was heard , and Jack lay fast asleep , worn out with the busy week and the walk , which had been longer and harder than any one guessed . Jill took up her knitting and worked quietly by firelight , still wondering and guessing what the secret could be ; for she had not much to amuse her , and little things were very interesting if connected with her friends . Presently Jack rolled over and began to mutter in his sleep , as he often did when too weary for sound slumber . Jill paid no attention till he uttered a name which made her prick up her ears and listen to the broken sentences which followed . Only a few words , but she dropped her work , saying to herself , -- `` I do believe he is talking about the secret . Now I shall find out , and he will tell me himself , as I said he would . '' Much pleased , she leaned and listened , but could make no sense of the confused babble about `` heavy boots ; '' `` All right , old fellow ; '' `` Jerry 's off ; '' and `` The ink is too thick . '' The slam of the front door woke Jack , and he pulled himself up , declaring that he believed he had been having a nap . `` I wish you 'd have another , '' said Jill , greatly disappointed at the loss of the intelligence she seemed to be so near getting . `` Floor is too hard for tired bones . Guess I 'll go to bed and get rested up for Monday . I 've worked like fury this week , so next I 'm going in for fun ; '' and , little dreaming what hard times were in store for him , Jack went off to enjoy his warm bath and welcome bed , where he was soon sleeping with the serene look of one whose dreams were happy , whose conscience was at rest . * * * * * `` I have a few words to say to you before you go , '' said Mr. Acton , pausing with his hand on the bell , Monday afternoon , when the hour came for dismissing school . The bustle of putting away books and preparing for as rapid a departure as propriety allowed , subsided suddenly , and the boys and girls sat as still as mice , while the hearts of such as had been guilty of any small sins began to beat fast . `` You remember that we had some trouble last winter about keeping the boys away from the saloon , and that a rule was made forbidding any pupil to go to town during recess ? ''
began Mr. XXXXX , who , being a conscientious man as well as an excellent teacher , felt that he was responsible for the children in school hours , and did his best to aid parents in guarding them from the few temptations which beset them in a country town .
Acton Jack Jerry Jill afternoon babble day first right twilight