"They shan't take it out of him. Oh, no, no!" cried Jasper, in great distress. He really couldn't stop saying it.
"Yes," said Ben, obstinately, "they will."
"Well, what can be done about it?" demanded Jasper tossing his dark hair away from his brow. And he put a hand on either sturdy shoulder; "Speak out, now, old fellow, if you've a plan in your head, and I'm with you to the last gasp," he added, in suppressed excitement.
"There isn't anything to be done," said Ben, slowly, his blue eyes raised to the earnest ones looking him through and through, "except for Pip to keep away from that school till you go back."
"For Pip to keep away from that school," echoed Jasper, faintly; "why, he belongs there. Ben Pepper, what are you saying?"
"I can't help it if he does belong there," said Ben. "The thing is to get him away for a spell."
"How?" demanded Jasper, with a small shake of the broad shoulders.
"Your father can do it," said Ben, for answer.
"My father!" cried Jasper, in surprise. Then his hands fell away from Ben's shoulders, and he backed slowly off.
"Yes, your father," reiterated Ben. "He can do anything, and you know it."