They had never seen her roused before , and the effect was tremendous ; also comical , for she drove the whole flock of boys out of the room like an indignant little hen defending her brood . They all went as meekly as sheep ; the small lads fled from the house precipitately , but the three elder ones only retired to the next room , and remained there hoping for a chance to explain and apologise , and so appease the irate young lady , who had suddenly turned the tables and clattered them about their ears . As they waited , they observed her proceedings through the half-open door , and commented upon them briefly but expressively , feeling quite bowed down with remorse at the harm they had innocently done . `` She 's put the room to rights in a jiffey . What jacks we were to let those dogs in and kick up such a row , '' observed Steve , after a prolonged peep . `` The poor old Worm turns as if she was treading on him instead of cuddling him like a pussy cat . Is n't he cross , though ? '' added Charlie , as Mac was heard growling about his `` confounded head . '' `` She will manage him ; but it 's mean in us to rumple him up and then leave her to smooth him down . I 'd go and help , but I do n't know how , '' said Archie , looking much depressed , for he was a conscientious fellow , and blamed himself for his want of thought . `` No , more do I. Odd , is n't it , what a knack women have for taking care of sick folks ? '' and Charlie fell a-musing over this undeniable fact . `` She has been ever so good to Mac , '' began Steve , in a self-reproachful tone . `` Better than his own brother , hey ? '' cut in Archie , finding relief for his own regret in the delinquencies of another . `` Well , you need n't preach ; you did n't any of you do any more , and you might have , for Mac likes you better than he does me . I always fret him , he says , and it is n't my fault if I am a quiddle , '' protested Steve , in self-defence . `` We have all been selfish and neglected him , so we wo n't fight about it , but try and do better , '' said Archie , generously taking more than his share of blame , for he had been less inattentive than either of the others . `` Rose has stood by him like a good one , and it 's no wonder he likes to have her round best . I should myself if I was down on my luck as he is , '' put in Charlie , feeling that he really had not done `` the little thing '' justice .
`` I 'll tell you what it is , boys we have n't been half good enough to Rose , and we 've got to make it up to her somehow , '' said XXXXX , who had a very manly sense of honour about paying his debts , even to a girl .
Archie Charlie Mac Steve a-musing delinquencies jacks jiffey quiddle self-defence