This round thing is a kiss for good-night . `` Your Jack '' `` Is n't that spoony ? You 'd better hide your face , I think . He 's getting to be a regular mollycoddle , is n't he ? '' jeered Joe , as the boys laughed , and then grew sober , seeing Jack 's head buried in the bedclothes , after sending a pillow at his tormentor . It nearly hit Mrs. Minot , coming in with her patient 's tea on a tray , and at sight of her the guests hurriedly took leave , Joe nearly tumbling downstairs to escape from Frank , who would have followed , if his mother had not said quickly , `` Stay , and tell me what is the matter . '' `` Only teasing Jack a bit . Do n't be mad , old boy , Joe did n't mean any harm , and it was rather soft , now was n't it ? '' asked Frank , trying to appease the wounded feelings of his brother . `` I charged you not to worry him . Those boys were too much for the poor dear , and I ought not to have left him , '' said Mamma , as she vainly endeavored to find and caress the yellow head burrowed so far out of sight that nothing but one red ear was visible . `` He liked it , and we got on capitally till Joe roughed him about Jill . Ah , Joe 's getting it now ! I thought Gus and Ed would do that little job for me , '' added Frank , running to the window as the sound of stifled cries and laughter reached him . The red ear heard also , and Jack popped up his head to ask , with interest , -- `` What are they doing to him ? '' `` Rolling him in the snow , and he 's howling like fun . '' `` Serves him right , '' muttered Jack , with a frown . Then , as a wail arose suggestive of an unpleasant mixture of snow in the mouth and thumps on the back , he burst out laughing , and said , good-naturedly , `` Go and stop them , Frank ; I wo n't mind , only tell him it was a mean trick . Hurry ! Gus is so strong he does n't know how his pounding hurts . ''
Off ran Frank , and XXXXX told his wrongs to his mother .
Ed Frank Gus Jack Jill Mamma bedclothes left right tormentor