But I begin to see that it isn't the fellows who talk the loudest and show off best that are the manliest.

No, sir! quiet old Bob is a hero and a trump, and I'm proud of him; so would you be if you knew all about it.' Here a look from Rob brought Ted up with a round turn; he stopped short, grew red, and clapped his hand on his mouth in dismay.
'Well, are we not to "know all about it" ?' asked Mrs Jo quickly; for her sharp eye saw signs of danger and her maternal heart felt that something had come between her and her sons.

'Boys,' she went on solemnly, 'I suspect that the change we talk about is not altogether the effect of growing up, as we say.

It strikes me that Ted has been in mischief and Rob has got him out of some scrape; hence the lovely mood of my bad boy and the sober one of my conscientious son, who never hides anything from his mother.' Rob was as red as Ted now, but after a moment's hesitation he looked up and answered with an air of relief: 'Yes, mother, that's it; but it's all over and no harm done, and I think we'd better let it be, for a while at least.

I did feel guilty to keep anything from you, but now you know so much I shall not worry and you needn't either.