I 'd rather have a good , honest green United States , with Washington on it , or a blue one-center with old Franklin , than all their eagles and lions and kings and queens put together , '' added the democratic boy , with a disrespectful slap on a crowned head as he settled Heligoland in its place . `` Why does Austria have Mercury on the stamp , I wonder ? Do they wear helmets like that ? '' asked Jill , with the brush-handle in her mouth as she cut a fresh batch of flaps . `` May be he was postman to the gods , so he is put on stamps now . The Prussians wear helmets , but they have spikes like the old Roman fellows . I like Prussians ever so much ; they fight splendidly , and always beat . Austrians have a handsome uniform , though . '' `` Talking of Romans reminds me that I have not heard your Latin for two days . Come , lazybones , brace up , and let us have it now . I 've done my compo , and shall have just time before I go out for a tramp with Gus , '' said Frank , putting by a neat page to dry , for he studied every day like a conscientious lad as he was . `` Do n't know it . Not going to try till next week . Grind away over your old Greek as much as you like , but do n't bother me , '' answered Jack , frowning at the mere thought of the detested lesson . But Frank adored his Xenophon , and would not see his old friend , Caesar , neglected without an effort to defend him ; so he confiscated the gum-pot , and effectually stopped the stamp business by whisking away at one fell swoop all that lay on Jill 's table . `` Now then , young man , you will quit this sort of nonsense and do your lesson , or you wo n't see these fellows again in a hurry . You asked me to hear you , and I 'm going to do it ; here 's the book . '' Frank 's tone was the dictatorial one , which Jack hated and always found hard to obey , especially when he knew he ought to do it . Usually , when his patience was tried , he strode about the room , or ran off for a race round the garden , coming back breathless , but good-tempered . Now both these vents for irritation were denied him , and he had fallen into the way of throwing things about in a pet .
He longed to send XXXXX to perpetual banishment in the fire blazing close by , but resisted the temptation , and answered honestly , though gruffly : `` I know I did , but I do n't see any use in pouncing on a fellow when he is n't ready .
Austria Caesar Frank Heligoland Jack Jill Washington days flaps gum-pot