I ca n't . '' `` Drink beer ? '' `` I belong to the Lodge ; '' and Jack stood as erect as any little soldier who ever marched under a temperance banner , and fought for the cause none are too young nor too old to help along . `` I was sure of that . Then what took you there , my boy ? '' The question was so kindly put that Jack forgot himself an instant , and blurted out , -- `` I only went to pay him some money , sir . '' `` Ah , how much ? '' `` Two seventy-five , '' muttered Jack , as red as a cherry at not being able to keep a secret better . `` Too much for a lad like you to owe such a fellow as Jerry . How came it ? '' And Mr. Acton looked disturbed . Jack opened his lips to speak , but shut them again , and stood looking down with a little quiver about the mouth that showed how much it cost him to be silent . `` Does any one beside Jerry know of this ? '' `` One other fellow , '' after a pause . `` Yes , I understand ; '' and Mr. Acton 's eye glanced at Joe with a look that seemed to say , `` I wish he 'd held his tongue . '' A queer smile flitted over Jack 's face , for Joe was not the `` other fellow , '' and knew very little about it , excepting what he had seen when he was sent on an errand by Mr. Acton on Friday . `` I wish you would explain the matter , John , for I am sure it is better than it seems , and it would be very hard to punish you when you do n't deserve it . '' `` But I do deserve it ; I 've broken the rule , and I ought to be punished , '' said Jack , as if a good whipping would be easier to bear than this public cross-examination . `` And you ca n't explain , or even say you are sorry or ashamed ? '' asked Mr. Acton , hoping to surprise another fact out of the boy .
`` No , sir ; I ca n't ; I 'm not ashamed ; I 'm not sorry , and I 'd do it again to-morrow if I had to , '' cried XXXXX , losing patience , and looking as if he would not bear much more .
Acton Jack Jerry Joe John cross-examination eye fellow pause quiver