He thought it paid better to be bad and be shut up . To be sure there was always a fly in the ointment . He was haunted by a vague fear that Aunt Augusta might relent and come to the blue room before supper time to let him out . `` And then the fat would be in the fire , '' said Jims . But he had a glorious summer and throve so well on his new diet of love and companionship that one day Uncle Walter , with fewer sick children to think about than usual , looked at him curiously and said : `` Augusta , that boy seems to be growing much stronger . He has a good color and his eyes are getting to look more like a boy 's eyes should . We 'll make a man of you yet , Jims . '' `` He may be getting stronger but he 's getting naughtier , too , '' said Aunt Augusta , grimly . `` I am sorry to say , Walter , that he behaves very badly . '' `` We were all young once , '' said Uncle Walter indulgently . `` Were you ? '' asked Jims in blank amazement . Uncle Walter laughed . `` Do you think me an antediluvian , Jims ? '' `` I do n't know what that is . But your hair is gray and your eyes are tired , '' said Jims uncompromisingly . Uncle Walter laughed again , tossed Jims a quarter , and went out . `` Your uncle is only forty-five and in his prime , '' said Aunt Augusta dourly . Jims deliberately ran across the room to the window and , under pretence of looking out , knocked down a flower pot . So he was exiled to the blue room and got into his beloved Garden of Spices where Miss Avery 's beautiful eyes looked love into his and the Black Prince was a jolly playmate and old Martha petted and spoiled him to her heart 's content .
Jims never asked questions but he was a wide-awake chap , and , taking one thing XXXXX another , he found out a good deal about the occupants of the old stone house .
So To by into like of on than that with