` Will you ? ' and Dan looked at him , wondering how the boyish face would change if the truth were suddenly told him . ` I 'll swear it on locked fists , if you like . I know it was jolly , and I 'm aching to hear . ' ` You are as curious as a girl . More than some -- Josie and -- and Bess never asked a question . ' ` They do n't care about rows and things ; they liked the mine business , heroes , and that sort . So do I , and I 'm as proud as Punch over it ; but I see by your eyes that there was something else before that , and I 'm bound to find out who Blair and Mason are , and who was hit and who ran away , and all the rest of it . ' ` What ! ' cried Dan , in a tone that made Ted jump . ` Well , you used to mutter about 'em in your sleep , and Uncle Laurie wondered . So did I ; but do n't mind , if you ca n't remember , or would rather not . ' ` What else did I say ? Queer , what stuff a man will talk when his wits are gone . ' ` That 's all I heard ; but it seemed interesting , and I just mentioned it , thinking it might refresh your memory a bit , ' said Teddy , very politely ; for Dan 's frown was heavy at that moment . It cleared off at this reply , and after a look at the boy squirming with suppressed impatience in his chair , Dan made up his mind to amuse him with a game of cross-purposes and half-truths , hoping to quench his curiosity , and so get peace . ` Let me see ; Blair was a lad I met in the cars , and Mason a poor fellow who was in a -- well , a sort of hospital where I happened to be . Blair ran off to his brothers , and I suppose I might say Mason was hit , because he died there . Does that suit you ? ' ` No , it does n't .
Why did XXXXX run ?
Bess Blair Dan Josie Laurie Mason Ted brothers half-truths jump