Mrs.Minot was as much surprised as he, but not angry, because, like most mothers, she was sure that her sons could not do anything very bad.
"I will speak to him; my boy won't refuse to give _me_ some explanation," she said, when Frank had freed his mind with as much warmth as if Jack had broken all the ten commandments.
"He will.

You often call me obstinate, but he is as pig-headed as a mule; Joe only knows what he saw, old tell-tale! and Jerry has left town, or I'd have it out of him.

Make Jack own up, whether he can or not.

Little donkey!" stormed Frank, who hated rowdies and could not forgive his brother for being seen with one.
"My dear, all boys do foolish things sometimes, even the wisest and best behaved, so don't be hard on the poor child.

He has got into trouble, I've no doubt, but it cannot be very bad, and he earned the money to pay for his prank, whatever it was." Mrs.Minot left the room as she spoke, and Frank cooled down as if her words had been a shower-bath, for he remembered his own costly escapade, and how kindly both his mother and Jack had stood by him on that trying occasion.