Mr. Acton believed every word he said , and regretted that they had not been able to have it out privately , but he , too , must keep his promise and punish the offender , whoever he was . `` Very well , you will lose your recess for a week , and this month 's report will be the first one in which behavior does not get the highest mark . You may go ; and I wish it understood that Master Minot is not to be troubled with questions till he chooses to set this matter right . '' Then the bell rang , the children trooped out , Mr. Acton went off without another word , and Jack was left alone to put up his books and hide a few tears that would come because Frank turned his eyes away from the imploring look cast upon him as the culprit came down from the platform , a disgraced boy . Elder brothers are apt to be a little hard on younger ones , so it is not surprising that Frank , who was an eminently proper boy , was much cut up when Jack publicly confessed to dealings with Jerry , leaving it to be supposed that the worst half of the story remained untold . He felt it his duty , therefore , to collar poor Jack when he came out , and talk to him all the way home , like a judge bent on getting at the truth by main force . A kind word would have been very comforting , but the scolding was too much for Jack 's temper , so he turned dogged and would not say a word , though Frank threatened not to speak to him for a week . At tea-time both boys were very silent , one looking grim , the other excited . Frank stared sternly at his brother across the table , and no amount of marmalade sweetened or softened that reproachful look . Jack defiantly crunched his toast , with occasional slashes at the butter , as if he must vent the pent-up emotions which half distracted him . Of course , their mother saw that something was amiss , but did not allude to it , hoping that the cloud would blow over as so many did if left alone . But this one did not , and when both refused cake , this sure sign of unusual perturbation made her anxious to know the cause . As soon as tea was over , Jack retired with gloomy dignity to his own room , and Frank , casting away the paper he had been pretending to read , burst out with the whole story . Mrs. Minot was as much surprised as he , but not angry , because , like most mothers , she was sure that her sons could not do anything very bad . `` I will speak to him ; my boy wo n't refuse to give me some explanation , '' she said , when Frank had freed his mind with as much warmth as if Jack had broken all the ten commandments . `` He will . You often call me obstinate , but he is as pig-headed as a mule ; Joe only knows what he saw , old tell-tale ! and Jerry has left town , or I 'd have it out of him . Make Jack own up , whether he can or not . Little donkey ! ''
stormed XXXXX , who hated rowdies and could not forgive his brother for being seen with one .
Acton Elder Frank Jack Jerry commandments first right tea-time week