A groan from the boys greeted this bare-faced declaration , and Susy quite shivered at the idea of having taken two bites out of the apple of such a hardened desperado . `` Think it over till to-morrow , and perhaps you will change your mind . Remember that this is the last week of the month , and reports are given out next Friday , '' said Mr. Acton , knowing how much the boy prided himself on always having good ones to show his mother . Poor Jack turned scarlet and bit his lips to keep them still , for he had forgotten this when he plunged into the affair which was likely to cost him dear . Then the color faded away , the boyish face grew steady , and the honest eyes looked up at his teacher as he said very low , but all heard him , the room was so still , -- `` It is n't as bad as it looks , sir , but I ca n't say any more . No one is to blame but me ; and I could n't help breaking the rule , for Jerry was going away , I had only that time , and I 'd promised to pay up , so I did . '' Mr. Acton believed every word he said , and regretted that they had not been able to have it out privately , but he , too , must keep his promise and punish the offender , whoever he was . `` Very well , you will lose your recess for a week , and this month 's report will be the first one in which behavior does not get the highest mark . You may go ; and I wish it understood that Master Minot is not to be troubled with questions till he chooses to set this matter right . '' Then the bell rang , the children trooped out , Mr. Acton went off without another word , and Jack was left alone to put up his books and hide a few tears that would come because Frank turned his eyes away from the imploring look cast upon him as the culprit came down from the platform , a disgraced boy . Elder brothers are apt to be a little hard on younger ones , so it is not surprising that Frank , who was an eminently proper boy , was much cut up when Jack publicly confessed to dealings with Jerry , leaving it to be supposed that the worst half of the story remained untold . He felt it his duty , therefore , to collar poor Jack when he came out , and talk to him all the way home , like a judge bent on getting at the truth by main force . A kind word would have been very comforting , but the scolding was too much for Jack 's temper , so he turned dogged and would not say a word , though Frank threatened not to speak to him for a week . At tea-time both boys were very silent , one looking grim , the other excited . Frank stared sternly at his brother across the table , and no amount of marmalade sweetened or softened that reproachful look . Jack defiantly crunched his toast , with occasional slashes at the butter , as if he must vent the pent-up emotions which half distracted him . Of course , their mother saw that something was amiss , but did not allude to it , hoping that the cloud would blow over as so many did if left alone . But this one did not , and when both refused cake , this sure sign of unusual perturbation made her anxious to know the cause . As soon as tea was over , Jack retired with gloomy dignity to his own room , and Frank , casting away the paper he had been pretending to read , burst out with the whole story . Mrs. Minot was as much surprised as he , but not angry , because , like most mothers , she was sure that her sons could not do anything very bad .
`` I will speak to him ; my boy wo n't refuse to give me some explanation , '' she said , when XXXXX had freed his mind with as much warmth as if Jack had broken all the ten commandments .
Acton Frank Jack Jerry Susy desperado left right tea-time week