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 right in the eyes of those he loved . `` I 'll be discreet , dear , but you owe it to yourself , as well as Bob , to have the truth known . Both have behaved well , and no harm will come to him , I am sure . I 'll see to that myself , '' said Mrs. Minot , in a tone that set Jack 's mind at rest on that point . `` Now do tell all about it , '' cried Jill , who was pining to know the whole story , and felt as if she had earned the right to hear it . `` Oh , it was n't much . We promised Ed to stand by Bob , so I did as well as I knew how ; '' and Jack seemed to think that was about all there was to say . `` I never saw such a fellow for keeping a promise ! You stick to it through thick and thin , no matter how silly or hard it is . You remember , mother , last summer , how you told him not to go in a boat and he promised , the day we went on the picnic . We rode up , but the horse ran off home , so we had to come back by way of the river , all but Jack , and he walked every step of five miles because he would n't go near a boat , though Mr. Burton was there to take care of him . I call that rather overdoing the matter ; '' and Frank looked as if he thought moderation even in virtue a good thing . `` And I call it a fine sample of entire obedience . He obeyed orders , and that is what we all must do , without always seeing why , or daring to use our own judgment . It is a great safeguard to Jack , and a very great comfort to me ; for I know that if he promises he will keep his word , no matter what it costs him , '' said Mamma warmly , as she tumbled up the quirls with an irrepressible caress , remembering how the boy came wearily in after all the others , without seeming for a moment to think that he could have done anything else . `` Like Casabianca ! '' cried Jill , much impressed , for obedience was her hardest trial .
`` I XXXXX he was a fool to burn up , '' said Frank , bound not to give in .
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