`` Oh , I dar ` s n't ! I opened the switch as they told me to , and Bill will half kill me when he knows it ! '' cried Joe , in a panic , as the awful consequences of his deed rose before him , showing both boys mortally injured and several trains wrecked . `` Then take yourself off home and hold your tongue . I 'll watch the door , for I wo n't have any more ridiculous boys tearing in to disturb my lady . '' Mrs. Pecq often called this good neighbor `` my lady '' when speaking of her , for Mrs. Minot was a true gentlewoman , and much pleasanter to live with than the titled mistress had been . Joe scudded away as if the constable was after him , and presently Frank was seen slowly approaching with an unusually sober face and a pair of very dirty hands . `` Thank heaven , he 's safe ! '' and , softly opening the door , Mrs. Pecq actually hustled the young master into the ante-room as unceremoniously as she had hustled Joe . `` I beg pardon , but the parlor is full of company , and that fool of a Joe came roaring in with a cock-and-bull story that gave me quite a turn . What is it , Mr. Frank ? '' she asked eagerly , seeing that something was amiss . He told her in a few words , and she was much relieved to find that no harm had been done . `` Ah , the danger is to come , '' said Frank , darkly , as he went away to wash his hands and prepare to relate his misdeeds . It was a very bad quarter of an hour for the poor fellow , who so seldom had any grave faults to confess ; but he did it manfully , and his mother was so grateful for the safety of her boy that she found it difficult to be severe enough , and contented herself with forbidding any more visits to the too charming No. 11 . `` What do you suppose will be done to me ? '' asked Frank , on whom the idea of imprisonment had made a deep impression . `` I do n't know , dear , but I shall go over to see Mr. Burton right after tea . He will tell us what to do and what to expect . Gus must not suffer for your fault . ''
`` He 'll come off clear enough , but XXXXX must take his share , for if he had n't opened that confounded switch , no harm would have been done .
Bill Frank Gus Joe Minot Pecq ante-room gentlewoman hour right