One by one, as the boys were ready, fed, clothed and rubbered, they were started on their two-mile journey over the sunny, snowy road, Danny being the first to so emerge, for with his short, fat legs, he could not make the distance in as short a time as the others.
"Mr. Donald wants you to come over on Friday, Pearl—I almost forgot to tell you—he wants you to talk to us about the city, and the schools you were in—and all that. I told him you would!"
This was from Jimmy, the biggest of the Watson boys now attending school.
"All right," said Pearl, "sure I will."
There was more to the story, though, and Jimmy went on,—
"And the Tuckers said they bet you thought yourself pretty smart since you'd been to the city….
"And then what happened," asked Pearl, when he paused;
"He went home—it wouldn't stop bleedin'! but Mr. Donald says a good nose-bleed wouldn't hurt him—though of course it was wrong to fight—but it was no fight—you know what they're like—one good thump—and they're done!"
"Good for you, Jimmy" said his sister approvingly, "never pick a quarrel or hit harder than you need, that's all!—but if trouble comes—be facing the right way!"
"You bet," said Jimmy, as he closed the door behind him and the stillness which comes after the children have gone fell on the Watson home.