I forget it listening to the music . Dear old Ed is playing all my favorite tunes , and it is very nice . I guess he feels pretty sorry about me . '' `` They all do . Frank could not talk of it . Gus would n't go home to tea , he was so anxious to do something for us . Joe brought back the bits of your poor sled , because he did n't like to leave them lying round for any one to carry off , he said , and you might like them to remember your fall by . '' Jack tried to laugh , but it was rather a failure , though he managed to say , cheerfully , -- `` That was good of old Joe . I would n't lend him ` Thunderbolt ' for fear he 'd hurt it . Could n't have smashed it up better than I did , could he ? Do n't think I want any pieces to remind me of that fall . I just wish you 'd seen us , mother ! It must have been a splendid spill to look at , any way . '' `` No , thank you ; I 'd rather not even try to imagine my precious boy going heels over head down that dreadful hill . No more pranks of that sort for some time , Jacky ; '' and Mrs. Minot looked rather pleased on the whole to have her venturesome bird safe under her maternal wing . `` No coasting till some time in January . What a fool I was to do it ! Go-bangs always are dangerous , and that 's the fun of the thing . Oh dear ! '' Jack threw his arms about and frowned darkly , but never said a word of the wilful little baggage who had led him into mischief ; he was too much of a gentleman to tell on a girl , though it cost him an effort to hold his tongue , because Mamma 's good opinion was very precious to him , and he longed to explain .
She knew all about it , however , for Jill had been carried into the house reviling herself for the mishap , and even in the midst of her own anxiety for her boy , Mrs. XXXXX understood the state of the case without more words .
Ed Frank Gus Jack Jacky Joe Mamma Minot Thunderbolt sled