"You can read it if you like," he said.
"You'll be very sorry to hear that I've told a lie and smoked four cigarettes, but I promise faithfully not to do it any more. Uncle Tom said I must tell you and God."
Betty laughed and cried over that letter at the same time, and thanked God that Uncle Tom had come back just in time to bring little Jack to repentance.
CHAPTER X
A BUSH TOUR
Tom did not propose to spend his four or five weeks of holiday in idleness. Whilst making his sister's house his headquarters, he determined to revisit such places as lay within reach, and would start off with his knapsack on his back, taking a two or three days' tour at a time.
"Why can't I walk with you?" Jack asked one day, wistfully. "I'm ever so strong on my legs!"
"Not strong enough for that," said Tom, but it set him thinking what to do to brighten Jack's holiday. The boy was manfully doing his best; had reinstated himself in Eva's good graces by a renewal of friendship and a demand for her companionship, but having tasted the strong drink of the fellowship of boys there was no question that to go back to a girl playmate was a little like sipping milk and water. His manner to Aunt Betty changed from the confiding affection of infancy to an obedient deference that she found distinctly attractive, for Uncle Tom was constantly impressing upon him by precept and example, that all women should command gentleness and respect from the masculine sex, so that not again had Betty to complain of rude answers or disobedience. What had passed between Jack and Tom she could only dimly guess, but the result of Tom's treatment was entirely satisfactory.
One morning Tom presented himself at the farm quite early in the day.
"I've a plan to unfold, and I want your consent before I speak to Jack about it," he said. He had followed Betty to the dairy where she was busy among her milk pans, and stood leaning against the door-post.