`` Come , I say ! What 's the matter ? I 'm all right . Do n't squeeze the breath out of me , please , '' expostulated Jack , looking so startled and innocent , as he struggled feebly , that they all laughed , and this plaintive protest caused him to be released . But the next proceeding did not enlighten him much , for Frank kept waving a very inky paper before him and ordering him to read it , while Mamma made a charge at Jill , as if it was absolutely necessary to hug somebody . `` Hullo ! '' said Jack , when he got the letter into his own hand and read it . `` Now who put Bob up to this ? Nobody had any business to interfere -- but it 's mighty good of him , anyway , '' he added , as the anxious lines in his round face smoothed themselves away , while a smile of relief told how hard it had been for him to keep his word . `` I did ! '' cried Jill , clapping her hands , and looking so happy that he could not have scolded her if he had wanted to . `` Who told you he was in the scrape ? '' demanded Jack , in a hurry to know all about it now the seal was taken off his own lips . `` You did ; '' and Jill 's face twinkled with naughty satisfaction , for this was the best fun of all . `` I did n't ! When ? Where ? It 's a joke ! '' `` You did , '' cried Jill , pointing to the rug . `` You went to sleep there after the long walk , and talked in your sleep about ` Bob ' and ` All right , old boy , ' and ever so much gibberish .
I did n't think about it then , but when I heard that XXXXX was up there I thought may be he knew something about it , and last night I wrote and asked him , and that 's the answer , and now it is all right , and you are the best boy that ever was , and I 'm so glad ! ''
Bob Frank Hullo Jack Jill Mamma Nobody gibberish protest right