Then , with a great yawn , he stretched himself out to bask in the blaze , pillowing his head on his arms . `` Dear old thing , he looks all used up ; I wo n't plague him with talking ; '' and Jill began to sing , as she often did in the twilight . By the time the first song ended a gentle snore was heard , and Jack lay fast asleep , worn out with the busy week and the walk , which had been longer and harder than any one guessed . Jill took up her knitting and worked quietly by firelight , still wondering and guessing what the secret could be ; for she had not much to amuse her , and little things were very interesting if connected with her friends . Presently Jack rolled over and began to mutter in his sleep , as he often did when too weary for sound slumber . Jill paid no attention till he uttered a name which made her prick up her ears and listen to the broken sentences which followed . Only a few words , but she dropped her work , saying to herself , -- `` I do believe he is talking about the secret . Now I shall find out , and he will tell me himself , as I said he would . '' Much pleased , she leaned and listened , but could make no sense of the confused babble about `` heavy boots ; '' `` All right , old fellow ; '' `` Jerry 's off ; '' and `` The ink is too thick . '' The slam of the front door woke Jack , and he pulled himself up , declaring that he believed he had been having a nap . `` I wish you 'd have another , '' said Jill , greatly disappointed at the loss of the intelligence she seemed to be so near getting . `` Floor is too hard for tired bones . Guess I 'll go to bed and get rested up for Monday . I 've worked like fury this week , so next I 'm going in for fun ; '' and , little dreaming what hard times were in store for him , Jack went off to enjoy his warm bath and welcome bed , where he was soon sleeping with the serene look of one whose dreams were happy , whose conscience was at rest . * * * * * `` I have a few words to say to you before you go , '' said Mr. Acton , pausing with his hand on the bell , Monday afternoon , when the hour came for dismissing school . The bustle of putting away books and preparing for as rapid a departure as propriety allowed , subsided suddenly , and the boys and girls sat as still as mice , while the hearts of such as had been guilty of any small sins began to beat fast . `` You remember that we had some trouble last winter about keeping the boys away from the saloon , and that a rule was made forbidding any pupil to go to town during recess ? '' began Mr. Acton , who , being a conscientious man as well as an excellent teacher , felt that he was responsible for the children in school hours , and did his best to aid parents in guarding them from the few temptations which beset them in a country town . A certain attractive little shop , where confectionery , baseballs , stationery , and picture papers were sold , was a favorite loafing place for some of the boys till the rule forbidding it was made , because in the rear of the shop was a beer and billiard saloon . A wise rule , for the picture papers were not always of the best sort ; cigars were to be had ; idle fellows hung about there , and some of the lads , who wanted to be thought manly , ventured to pass the green baize door `` just to look on . ''
A murmur answered the teacher 's question , and he continued , `` You all know that the XXXXX was broken several times , and I told you the next offender would be publicly reprimanded , as private punishments had no effect .
Monday bustle dreams friends name rule sense teacher walk week