`` I did n't ! When ? Where ? It 's a joke ! '' `` You did , '' cried Jill , pointing to the rug . `` You went to sleep there after the long walk , and talked in your sleep about ` Bob ' and ` All right , old boy , ' and ever so much gibberish . I did n't think about it then , but when I heard that Bob was up there I thought may be he knew something about it , and last night I wrote and asked him , and that 's the answer , and now it is all right , and you are the best boy that ever was , and I 'm so glad ! '' Here Jill paused , all out of breath , and Frank said , with an approving pat on the head , -- `` It wo n't do to have such a sharp young person round if we are going to have secrets . You 'd make a good detective , miss . '' `` Catch me taking naps before people again ; '' and Jack looked rather crestfallen that his own words had set `` Fine Ear '' on the track . `` Never mind , I did n't mean to tell , though I just ached to do it all the time , so I have n't broken my word . I 'm glad you all know , but you need n't let it get out , for Bob is a good fellow , and it might make trouble for him , '' added Jack , anxious lest his gain should be the other 's loss . `` I shall tell Mr. Acton myself , and the Captain , also , for I 'm not going to have my son suspected of wrong-doing when he has only tried to help a friend , and borne enough for his sake , '' said Mamma , much excited by this discovery of generous fidelity in her boy ; though when one came to look at it calmly , one saw that it might have been done in a wiser way . `` Now , please , do n't make a fuss about it ; that would be most as bad as having every one down on me . I can stand your praising me , but I wo n't be patted on the head by anybody else ; '' and Jack assumed a manly air , though his face was full of genuine boyish pleasure at being set right in the eyes of those he loved . `` I 'll be discreet , dear , but you owe it to yourself , as well as Bob , to have the truth known . Both have behaved well , and no harm will come to him , I am sure . I 'll see to that myself , '' said Mrs. Minot , in a tone that set Jack 's mind at rest on that point . `` Now do tell all about it , '' cried Jill , who was pining to know the whole story , and felt as if she had earned the right to hear it . `` Oh , it was n't much .
We promised Ed to stand by XXXXX , so I did as well as I knew how ; '' and Jack seemed to think that was about all there was to say .
Acton Bob Captain Frank Jack Jill Minot gibberish night wrong-doing