Will you join ? '' said Charlie , while Rose slipped away to her aunt , and Archie buried both cigars behind the back log . When the mystery was explained , the elders were well pleased , and Rose received a vote of thanks , which made her feel as if she had done a service to her country , as she had , for every boy who grows up free from bad habits bids fair to make a good citizen . `` I wish Rose would drive a bargain with Will and Geordie also , for I think these books are as bad for the small boys as cigars for the large ones , '' said Mrs. Jessie , sitting down on the sofa between the readers , who politely curled up their legs to make room for her . `` I thought they were all the fashion , '' answered Dr. Alec , settling in the big chair with Rose . `` So is smoking , but it is harmful . The writers of these popular stories intend to do good , I have no doubt , but it seems to me they fail because their motto is , ` Be smart , and you will be rich , ' instead of ` Be honest , and you will be happy . ' I do not judge hastily , Alec , for I have read a dozen , at least , of these stories , and , with much that is attractive to boys , I find a great deal to condemn in them , and other parents say the same when I ask them . '' `` Now , Mum , that 's too bad ! I like 'em tip-top . This one is a regular screamer , '' cried Will . `` They 're bully books , and I 'd like to know where 's the harm , '' added Geordie . `` You have just shown us one of the chief evils , and that is slang , '' answered their mother quickly . `` Must have it , ma'am . If these chaps talked all right , there 'd be no fun in 'em , '' protested Will . `` A boot-black must n't use good grammar , and a newsboy must swear a little , or he would n't be natural , '' explained Geordie , both boys ready to fight gallantly for their favourites . `` But my sons are neither boot-blacks nor newsboys , and I object to hearing them use such words as ` screamer , ' ` bully , ' and ` buster . ' In fact , I fail to see the advantage of writing books about such people unless it is done in a very different way . I can not think they will help to refine the ragamuffins if they read them , and I 'm sure they can do no good to the better class of boys , who through these books are introduced to police courts , counterfeiters ' dens , gambling houses , drinking saloons , and all sorts of low life . '' `` Some of them are about first-rate boys , mother ; and they go to sea and study , and sail round the world , having great larks all the way . ''
`` I have read about them , XXXXX , and though they are better than the others , I am not satisfied with these optical delusions , as I call them .
Alec Archie Geordie Jessie boot-black boot-blacks counterfeiters favourites ragamuffins right