Make Jack own up , whether he can or not . Little donkey ! '' stormed Frank , who hated rowdies and could not forgive his brother for being seen with one . `` My dear , all boys do foolish things sometimes , even the wisest and best behaved , so do n't be hard on the poor child . He has got into trouble , I 've no doubt , but it can not be very bad , and he earned the money to pay for his prank , whatever it was . '' Mrs. Minot left the room as she spoke , and Frank cooled down as if her words had been a shower-bath , for he remembered his own costly escapade , and how kindly both his mother and Jack had stood by him on that trying occasion . So , feeling rather remorseful , he went off to talk it over with Gus , leaving Jill in a fever of curiosity , for Merry and Molly had dropped in on their way home to break the blow to her , and Frank declined to discuss it with her , after mildly stating that Jack was `` a ninny , '' in his opinion . `` Well , I know one thing , '' said Jill confidentially to Snow-ball , when they were left alone together , `` if every one else is scolding him I wo n't say a word . It 's so mean to crow over people when they are down , and I 'm sure he has n't done anything to be ashamed of , though he wo n't tell . '' Snow-ball seemed to agree to this , for he went and sat down by Jack 's slippers waiting for him on the hearth , and Jill thought that a very touching proof of affectionate fidelity to the little master who ruled them both . When he came , it was evident that he had found it harder to refuse his mother than all the rest . But she trusted him in spite of appearances , and that was such a comfort ! For poor Jack 's heart was very full , and he longed to tell the whole story , but he would not break his promise , and so kept silence bravely . Jill asked no questions , affecting to be anxious for the games they always played together in the evening , but while they played , though the lips were sealed , the bright eyes said as plainly as words , `` I trust you , '' and Jack was very grateful . It was well he had something to cheer him up at home , for he got little peace at school . He bore the grave looks of Mr. Acton meekly , took the boys ' jokes good-naturedly , and withstood the artful teasing of the girls with patient silence . But it was very hard for the social , affectionate fellow to bear the general distrust , for he had been such a favorite he felt the change keenly . But the thing that tried him most was the knowledge that his report would not be what it usually was . It was always a happy moment when he showed it to his mother , and saw her eye brighten as it fell on the 99 or 100 , for she cared more for good behavior than for perfect lessons . Mr. Acton once said that Frank Minot 's moral influence in the school was unusual , and Jack never forgot her pride and delight as she told them what Frank himself had not known till then .
It was XXXXX 's ambition to have the same said of him , for he was not much of a scholar , and he had tried hard since he went back to school to get good records in that respect at least .
Acton Frank Jack Jill Minot Molly Snow-ball evening rowdies shower-bath