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 Bob 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 ! '' Here Jill paused , all out of breath , and Frank said , with an approving pat on the head , -- `` It wo n't do to have such a sharp young person round if we are going to have secrets . You 'd make a good detective , miss . '' `` Catch me taking naps before people again ; '' and Jack looked rather crestfallen that his own words had set `` Fine Ear '' on the track . `` Never mind , I did n't mean to tell , though I just ached to do it all the time , so I have n't broken my word . I 'm glad you all know , but you need n't let it get out , for Bob is a good fellow , and it might make trouble for him , '' added Jack , anxious lest his gain should be the other 's loss . `` I shall tell Mr. Acton myself , and the Captain , also , for I 'm not going to have my son suspected of wrong-doing when he has only tried to help a friend , and borne enough for his sake , '' said Mamma , much excited by this discovery of generous fidelity in her boy ; though when one came to look at it calmly , one saw that it might have been done in a wiser way . `` Now , please , do n't make a fuss about it ; that would be most as bad as having every one down on me .
I can stand your praising me , but I wo n't be patted on the head by anybody else ; '' and Jack assumed a manly air , though his face was full of genuine boyish pleasure at being set XXXXX in the eyes of those he loved .
Acton Bob Frank Jack Jill Mamma gibberish night right wrong-doing