When the bell rang, Dexter came in; and they all sat down together. Finding Jimmy in an obliging mood the man said:
"I wish you'd get up the cows from the pasture. I've got a job in the garden I want to finish before I milk."
"Well, I will," answered Jimmy; "and I'll get in the chickens too."
"He's awful good-natured," thought Ellen as she saw him trudge off whistling, with a stick in his hand. "I hope he isn't going to die, or any such thing; but it looks dangerous to have a boy so terribly good all at once."
Jimmy was usually what would be called a good boy; that is, he obeyed his father and mother, and was obliging, and good tempered; but when his parents were away, he generally claimed the right to employ himself as he chose, feeling rather "big" as Ellen laughingly expressed it.
If he had come home from school with nothing on his conscience he would probably have rushed into the kitchen, exclaiming:
"I want my supper right away. I'm going to fly my kite; and I can't wait."
If Ellen was busy or did not wish to attend to him at the minute, he would run to the pantry, get a handful of doughnuts, or a slice of gingerbread, and be off to his play.
Jimmy did not hurry in his walk. He had made up his mind not to play. He did not feel exactly like it. He had a question to settle in his own mind; and he was glad to be alone. As he walked slowly on toward the pasture, he asked himself:
"Did I tell Ellen a lie? I didn't say I was at school."