Joe thought that an elegant epistle, having copied portions of it
from the “Letter Writer,” and proudly read it off to the boys, who
assured him that Jill would be much impressed.
“Now, Jack, hurry up and let us send the lot off, for we must go,”
said Gus, as Frank put the letters in the basket, and the clatter of
tea-things was heard below.
“I’m not going to show mine. It’s private and you mustn’t look,”
answered Jack, patting down an envelope with such care that no
one had a chance to peep.
But Joe had seen the little note copied, and while the others were
at the window working the telegraph he caught up the original,
carelessly thrust by Jack under the pillow, and read it aloud before
anyone knew what he was about.
“My Dear-I wish I could send you some of my good times. As I
can’t, I send you much love, and I hope you will try and be patient
as I am going to, for it was our fault, and we must not make a fuss
now. Ain’t mothers sweet? Mine is coming over to-morrow to see
you and tell me how you are. This round thing is a kiss for
good-night.
Your Jack”
“Isn’t that spoony? You d better hide your face, I think. He’s getting
to be a regular mollycoddle, isn’t he?” jeered Joe, as the boys
laughed, and then grew sober, seeing Jack’s head buried in the
bedclothes, after sending a pillow at his tormentor.
It nearly hit Mrs. Minot, coming in with her patient’s tea on a tray,
and at sight of her the guests hurriedly took leave, Joe nearly
tumbling downstairs to escape from Frank, who would have
followed, if his mother had not said quickly, “Stay, and tell me
what is the matter.”
“Only teasing Jack a bit. Don’t be mad, old boy, Joe didn’t mean
any harm, and it was rather soft, now wasn’t it?” asked Frank,
trying to appease the wounded feelings of his brother.
“I charged you not to worry him. Those boys were too much for the
poor dear, and I ought not to have left him,” said Mamma, as she
vainly endeavored to find and caress the yellow head burrowed so
far out of sight that nothing but one red ear was visible.
“He liked it, and we got on capitally till Joe roughed him about
Jill. Ah, Joe’s getting it now! I thought Gus and Ed would do that
little job for me,” added Frank, running to the window as the sound
of stifled cries and laughter reached him.
The red ear heard also, and Jack popped up his head to ask, with
interest,
‘What are they doing to him?”
“Rolling him in the snow, and he’s howling like fun.”
“Serves him right,” muttered Jack, with a frown. Then, as a wail
arose suggestive of an unpleasant mixture of snow in the mouth
and thumps on the back, he burst out laughing, and said,
good-naturedly, “Go and stop them, Frank; I won’t mind, only tell
him it was a mean trick. Hurry! Gus is so strong he doesn’t know
how his pounding hurts.”
Off ran Frank, and Jack told his wrongs to his mother. She
sympathized heartily, and saw no harm in the affectionate little
note, which would please Jill, and help her to bear her trials
patiently.
“It isn’t silly to be fond of her, is it? She is so nice and funny, and
tries to be good, and likes me, and I won’t be ashamed of my
friends, if folks do laugh,” protested Jack, with a rap of his
teaspoon.
“No, dear, it is quite kind and proper, and I’d rather have you play
with a merry little girl than with rough boys till you are big enough
to hold your own,” answered Mamma, putting the cup to his lips
that the reclining lad might take his broma without spilling.
“Pooh! I don’t mean that; I’m strong enough now to take care of
myself,” cried Jack, stoutly. “I can thrash Joe any day, if I like. Just
look at my arm; there’s muscle for you!” and up went a sleeve, to