You asked me to hear you , and I 'm going to do it ; here 's the book . '' Frank 's tone was the dictatorial one , which Jack hated and always found hard to obey , especially when he knew he ought to do it . Usually , when his patience was tried , he strode about the room , or ran off for a race round the garden , coming back breathless , but good-tempered . Now both these vents for irritation were denied him , and he had fallen into the way of throwing things about in a pet . He longed to send Caesar to perpetual banishment in the fire blazing close by , but resisted the temptation , and answered honestly , though gruffly : `` I know I did , but I do n't see any use in pouncing on a fellow when he is n't ready . I have n't got my lesson , and do n't mean to worry about it ; so you may just give me back my things and go about your business . '' `` I 'll give you back a stamp for every perfect lesson you get , and you wo n't see them on any other terms ; '' and , thrusting the treasures into his pocket , Frank caught up his rubber boots , and went off swinging them like a pair of clubs , feeling that he would give a trifle to be able to use them on his lazy brother . At this high-handed proceeding , and the threat which accompanied it , Jack 's patience gave out , and catching up Caesar , as he thought , sent him flying after the retreating tyrant with the defiant declaration , -- `` Keep them , then , and your old book , too ! I wo n't look at it till you give all my stamps back and say you are sorry . So now ! '' It was all over before Mamma could interfere , or Jill do more than clutch and cling to the gum-brush . Frank vanished unharmed , but the poor book dashed against the wall to fall half open on the floor , its gay cover loosened , and its smooth leaves crushed by the blow . `` It 's the album ! O Jack , how could you ? '' cried Jill , dismayed at sight of the precious book so maltreated by the owner . `` Thought it was the other . Guess it is n't hurt much . Did n't mean to hit him , any way . He does provoke me so , '' muttered Jack , very red and shamefaced as his mother picked up the book and laid it silently on the table before him . He did not know what to do with himself , and was thankful for the stamps still left him , finding great relief in making faces as he plucked them one by one from his mortified countenance .
XXXXX looked on , half glad , half sorry that her savage showed such signs of unconverted ferocity , and Mrs. Minot went on writing letters , wearing the grave look her sons found harder to bear than another person 's scolding .
Caesar Frank Jack Jill fall fire gum-brush left owner tyrant