"Ready!I'll trouble you for a cent,old man";and Jack held out his hand,with a chuckle.
He got the money and a good clap beside;then they retired to the shed to black their boots,after which Frank filled the woodboxes and Jack split kindlings,till the daily allowance was ready.Both went at their lessons for half an hour,Jack scowling over his algebra in the sofa corner,while Frank,with his elbows on and his legs round the little stand which held his books,seemed to be having a wrestling-match with Herodotus.
When the bell rang they were glad to drop the lessons and fall upon their breakfast with the appetite of wolves,especially Jack,who sequestered oatmeal and milk with such rapidity that one would have thought he had a leathern bag hidden somewhere to slip it into,like his famous namesake when he breakfasted with the giant.
"I declare I don't see what he does with it!He really ought not to 'gobble'so,mother,"said Frank,who was eating with great deliberation and propriety.
"Never you mind,old quiddle.I'm so hungry I could tuck away a bushel,"answered Jack,emptying a glass of milk and holding out his plate for more mush,regardless of his white moustache.
"Temperance in all things is wise,in speech as well as eating and drinking--remember that,boys,"said Mamma from behind the urn.
"That reminds me!We promised to do the 'Observer'this week,and here it is Tuesday and I haven't done a thing:have you?"asked Frank.
"Never thought of it.We must look up some bits at noon instead 0f playing.Dare say Jill has got some:she always saves all she finds for me.""I have one or two good items,and can do any copying there may be.But I think if you undertake the paper you should give some time and labor to make it good,"said Mamma,who was used to this state of affairs,and often edited the little sheet read every week at the Lodge.The boys seldom missed going,but the busy lady was often unable to be there,so helped with the paper as her share of the labor.
"Yes,we ought,but somehow we don't seem to get up much steam about it lately.If more people belonged,and we could have a grand time now and then,it would be jolly";and Jack sighed at the lack of interest felt by outsiders in the loyal little Lodge which went on year after year kept up by the faithful few.
"I remember when in this very town we used to have a Cold Water Army,and in the summer turn out with processions,banners,and bands of music to march about,and end with a picnic,songs,and speeches in some grove or hall.Nearly all the children belonged to it,and the parents also,and we had fine times here twenty-five or thirty years ago.""It didn't do much good,seems to me,for people still drink,and we haven't a decent hotel in the place,"said Frank,as his mother sat looking out of the window as if she saw again the pleasant sight of old and young working together against the great enemy of home peace and safety.
"Oh yes,it did,my dear;for to this day many of those children are true to their pledge.One little girl was,I am sure,and now has two big boys to fight for the reform she has upheld all her life.The town is better than it was in those days,and if we each do our part faithfully,it will improve yet more.Every boy and girl who joins is one gained,perhaps,and your example is the best temperance lecture you can give.Hold fast,and don't mind if it isn't 'jolly':it is right,and that should be enough for us."Mamma spoke warmly,for she heartily believed in young people's guarding against this dangerous vice before it became a temptation,and hoped her boys would never break the pledge they had taken;for,young as they were,they were old enough to see its worth,feel its wisdom,and pride themselves on the promise which was fast growing into a principle.Jack's face brightened as he listened,and Frank said,with the steady look which made his face manly,"It shall be.Now I'll tell you what I was going to keep as a surprise till to-night,for I wanted to have my secret as well as other folks.
Ed and I went up to see Bob,Sunday,and he said he'd join the Lodge,if they'd have him.I'm going to propose him to-night.""Good!good!"cried Jack,joyfully,and Mrs.Minot clapped her hands,for every new member was rejoiced over by the good people,who were not discouraged by ridicule,indifference,or opposition.
"We've got him now,for no one will object,and it is just the thing for him.He wants to belong somewhere,he says,and he'll enjoy the fun,and the good things will help him,and we will look after him,The Captain was so pleased,and you ought to have seen Ed's face when Bob said,'I'm ready,if you'll have me."Frank's own face was beaming,and Jack forgot to "gobble,"he was so interested in the new Convert,while Mamma said,as she threw down her napkin and took up the newspaper,"We must not forget our 'Observer,'but have a good one tonight in honor of the occasion.There may be something here.Come home early at noon,and I'll help you get your paper ready.""I'll be here,but if you want Frank,you'd better tell him not to dawdle over Annette's gate half an hour,"began Jack,who could not resist teasing his dignified brother about one of the few foolish things he was fond of doing.
"Do you want your nose pulled?"demanded Frank,who never would stand joking on that tender point from his brother.
"No,I don't;and if I did,you couldn't do it";with which taunt he was off and Frank after him,having made a futile dive at the impertinent little nose which was turned up at him and his sweetheart.