In the stillness that followed, Frank knew perfectly well what was going on down there. If he ran away, why he might never again hear Kate play his favorite music—never hear his father pray; and just here Frank began to wonder if the supper table was cleared away, if the good things Kate had referred to were all eaten up, if they really intended to leave him go supperless to bed. He had not heard a sound of approach to his door when there came through the keyhole a stifled “Bub!”
He answered it with “Fetch me some supper, Kate.”
“I can’t, Frank; they won’t let me. Mother is coming in a minute with some bread, and be good. Do, Frank—for they’re going to send you to General Russell’s School; you’ll wear a uniform, and everything!”
Frank’s heart beat proudly for a moment. The desire of his life was about to be gratified then. In an instant all of the ill feeling that had hardened him seemed to be as though it had not been.
“I’ll say it, Kate,” he whispered.
Frank was going to be good again. Away fled Kate to her mother, saying,
“Won’t you hurry, mamma, with Frank’s supper? I know he must be hungry by this time, and please let me help you to carry it to him.”
“If Frank would only do what he ought to do, he might come down and get his supper,” sighed Mrs. Hallock.
“Try him, just once, mamma, and see,” urged Kate.
“Come with me, then.”