Eddie said nothing, but looked very dubious, for the widow was not liked by the boys.
"Do you think you will ever become so bad that you will want to run away, Eddie?" and his mother looked into his eyes anxiously.
"No, indeed, mother. But you ain't like Bill's mother. She used to lick him awful," replied Eddie.
"Say 'whip,' and 'very hard,' my son."
"Yes, mother."
"Well, will you ask the boys?"
"I'll try 'em, ma."
When Eddie started for school the next day his mind was full of the mission his mother had given him to the boys.
"What ye lookin' so serus about, Ed? 'Pears like ye'd lost all yer best friends," exclaimed the blacksmith, as Eddie passed his open door.
Tom the smith and the little boy were excellent friends, despite the former's remark, and Eddie told him all about Bill, and the widow, and his mother's wish.