Chapter V. Secrets

hegirlswereindespairaboutafire-placewhenacting“TheCricketontheHearth,”hepaintedone,andputagas-loginitthatmadethekettlereallyboil,totheirgreatdelight.Iftheboysfoundtheinterestoftheirclubflagging,Ralphwouldconvulsethembyimitationsofthe“MemberfromCranberryCentre,”orfirethemwithspeechesoffamousstatesmen.Charityfairscouldnotgetonwithouthim,andinthestorewhereheworkedhedidmanyaningeniousjob,whichmadehimvaluedforhismechanicalskill,aswellasforhisenergyandintegrity. Mrs.Minotlikedtohavehimwithhersons,becausetheyalsoweretopaddletheirowncanoesbyandby,andshebelievedthat,richorpoor,boysmakebettermenforlearningtousethetalentstheypossess,notmerelyasornaments,buttoolswithwhichtocarvetheirownfortunesandthebesthelptowardthisendisanexampleoffaithfulwork,highaims,andhonestliving.SoRalphcameoften,andintimesoftroublewasarealrainy-dayfriend.Jackgrewveryfondofhimduringhisimprisonment,forthegoodyouthranineveryeveningtogetcommissions,amusetheboywithdrollaccountsoftheday'sadventures,orinventlifts,bed-tables,andfoot-restsfortheimpatientinvalid.Frankfoundhimasureguidethroughthemechanicalmysterieswhichheloved,andspentmanyausefulhalf-hourdiscussingcylinders,pistons,valves,andbalance-wheels.Jillalsocameinforhershareofcareandcomfortthepoorlittlebacklayalltheeasierfortheair-cushionRalphgother,andthewearyheadachesfoundrelieffromthesprayatomizer,whichsoftlydistilleditsscenteddewonthehotforeheadtillshefellasleep. RoundthebedsofJackandJillmetandmingledtheschoolmatesofwhomourstorytreats.Never,probably,didinvalidshavegayertimesthanourtwo,afteraweekofsolitar