He got no further , for Mrs. Pecq clapped one hand over his mouth , caught him by the collar with the other , and hustled him into the ante-room before any one else could hear the bad news . `` Tell me all about it , and do n't shout . What 's come to the boy ? '' she demanded , in a tone that reduced Joe to a whisper at once . `` Go right back and see what has happened to him , then come and tell me quietly . I 'll wait for you here . I would n't have his mother startled for the world , '' said the good soul , when she knew all . `` Oh , I dar ` s n't ! I opened the switch as they told me to , and Bill will half kill me when he knows it ! '' cried Joe , in a panic , as the awful consequences of his deed rose before him , showing both boys mortally injured and several trains wrecked . `` Then take yourself off home and hold your tongue . I 'll watch the door , for I wo n't have any more ridiculous boys tearing in to disturb my lady . '' Mrs. Pecq often called this good neighbor `` my lady '' when speaking of her , for Mrs. Minot was a true gentlewoman , and much pleasanter to live with than the titled mistress had been . Joe scudded away as if the constable was after him , and presently Frank was seen slowly approaching with an unusually sober face and a pair of very dirty hands . `` Thank heaven , he 's safe ! '' and , softly opening the door , Mrs. Pecq actually hustled the young master into the ante-room as unceremoniously as she had hustled Joe . `` I beg pardon , but the parlor is full of company , and that fool of a Joe came roaring in with a cock-and-bull story that gave me quite a turn . What is it , Mr. Frank ? '' she asked eagerly , seeing that something was amiss . He told her in a few words , and she was much relieved to find that no harm had been done .
`` Ah , the danger is to come , '' XXXXX Frank , darkly , as he went away to wash his hands and prepare to relate his misdeeds .
caught come dar hear injured knew rose said tell titled