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 Jack '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 . Now here was a dreadful downfall , tardy marks , bad company , broken rules , and something too wrong to tell , apparently . `` Well , I deserve a good report , and that 's a comfort , though nobody believes it , '' he said to himself , trying to keep up his spirits , as the slow week went by , and no word from him had cleared up the mystery . Chapter XIV . And Jill Finds It Out Jill worried about it more than he did , for she was a faithful little friend , and it was a great trial to have Jack even suspected of doing anything wrong . School is a child 's world while he is there , and its small affairs are very important to him , so Jill felt that the one thing to be done was to clear away the cloud about her dear boy , and restore him to public favor . `` Ed will be here Saturday night and may be he will find out , for Jack tells him everything . I do hate to have him hectored so , for I know he is , though he 's too proud to complain , '' she said , on Thursday evening , when Frank told her some joke played upon his brother that day . `` I let him alone , but I see that he is n't badgered too much . That 's all I can do . If Ed had only come home last Saturday it might have done some good , but now it will be too late ; for the reports are given out to-morrow , you know , '' answered Frank , feeling a little jealous of Ed 's influence over Jack , though his own would have been as great if he had been as gentle . `` Has Jerry come back ? ''
asked XXXXX , who kept all her questions for Frank , because she seldom alluded to the tender subject when with Jack .
Acton Ed Jack Jerry Jill Minot XIV day evening night