He forgot that he was working to earn money -- and make his fortune . He worked to please Miss Salome . She was good and kind and gentle to him , and his starved heart thawed and expanded in the sunshine of her atmosphere . She went to the little porch room every night to kiss him good night . Chester would have been bitterly disappointed if she had failed to go . She was greatly shocked to find out that he had never said his prayers before going to bed . She insisted on teaching him the simple little one she had used herself when a child . When Chester found that it would please her , he said it every night . There was nothing he would not have done for Miss Salome . She talked a good deal to him about Johnny and she gave him the jack-knife that Johnny had owned . `` It belonged to a good , manly little boy once , '' she said , `` and now I hope it belongs to another such . '' `` I ai n't very good , '' said Chester repentantly , `` but I 'll try to be , Miss Salome -- honest , I will . '' One day he heard Miss Salome speaking of someone who had run away from home . `` A wicked , ungrateful boy , '' she called him . Chester blushed until his freckles were drowned out in a sea of red , and Clemantiny saw it , of course . When did anything ever escape those merciless black eyes of Clemantiny 's ? `` Do you think it 's always wrong for a fellow to run away , Miss Salome ? '' he faltered . `` It ca n't ever be right , '' said Miss Salome decidedly . `` But if he was n't treated well -- and was jawed at -- and not let go to school ? ''
pleaded XXXXX .
Chester Clemantiny Johnny Salome day drowned escape jack-knife night right