“And we’ll have to go to prison,” put in Palmer Davis.
Father Blossom looked at the circle of worried little faces and smiled. Then he became very grave.
“I doubt very much if Mr. Bennett will have you arrested,” he said. “I have heard a new story tonight that puts the blame on some tramps seen hanging around the shop after you boys went in to get your ball. There is too much doubt about the affair for Mr. Bennett to risk getting out warrants. But, suppose he did: do you think I want my son, and would your fathers want you, to run away instead of facing this trouble and seeing it through?”
“But I thought you wouldn’t like me to be arrested,” cried Bobby. “And all the girls in school would tease Meg.”
“I don’t want you arrested,” said Father Blossom earnestly, “and Meg would feel very bad if that should happen and so would Mother. But, Bobby, that would be something you could not help. People can not help getting into trouble sometimes, but they can always help being afraid. You are running away because you are afraid of what may happen.”
Bobby and the other boys were silent.
“A good soldier always faces the music,” said Father Blossom. “Surely you are not going to turn your backs and run?”
Bobby looked from Palmer to Fred and then at Bertrand. They looked gloomy but not frightened.
“All right,” sighed Bobby, “we’ll go back. Nobody can say we are cowards.”