“We did not mean any harm, grandmother,” he said. “We only wanted to have a good time. Is it always wrong to have a good time?”
“Why no, dear, of course not. It is right to enjoy oneself and be happy, if one can do so without causing pain or discomfort to others. But it is wrong to do things that are sure to distress or worry other people.”
“Bill Carpenter did not seem to think it was wrong. He said he had often been out later than this. I don’t believe his folks will even scold him.”
Grandmother repressed a smile as she remembered what Billy Carpenter’s mother had said was in store for that boastful young gentleman.
“Billy Carpenter has been brought up differently, Kit——” she began.
“Yes, without being tied to a girl’s apron-strings,” broke in Christopher bitterly.
He did not mean to be rude to his grandmother, but he was tired, hungry and a bit conscience-stricken; all of which are apt to make any one feel a little out of temper.
Grandmother did not reprove him. A new and not very pleasant idea had been suggested by Christopher’s words. Had they made too much of a girl-boy of him? Pampered him and watched him too closely? she asked herself.
She sent Christopher up-stairs to tidy himself while she saw Letty off for home and sent Jo Perkins on horseback to find Joshua and bring him back from his fruitless search. Joshua had taken the main road and so missed the truants on the short cut through Birch Lane.
Jane did not know how to treat her brother. She was so glad to have him safe at home that she longed to hug and kiss him and cling to him. But he had been naughty and she supposed she must not speak to him. She eyed him askance and when he was not looking, felt of his arms and legs gently, to assure herself that he was whole. Her brother rubbed the places she touched and said:—“Shucks!” without turning around.