He shut the open eye to enjoy it thoroughly , and forgot the stretch altogether , for the bed was warm , the pillow soft , and a half-finished dream still hung about his drowsy brain . Who does not know the fatal charm of that stolen moment -- for once yield to it , and one is lost . Jack was miles away `` in the twinkling of a bedpost , '' and the pleasing dream seemed about to return , when a ruthless hand tore off the clothes , swept him out of bed , and he really did awake to find himself standing in the middle of his bath-pan with both windows open , and Frank about to pour a pail of water over him . `` Hold on ! Yah , how cold the water is ! Why , I thought I was up ; '' and , hopping out , Jack rubbed his eyes and looked about with such a genuine surprise that Frank put down the pail , feeling that the deluge would not be needed this time . `` You are now , and I 'll see that you keep so , '' he said , as he stripped the bed and carried off the pillows . `` I do n't care . What a jolly day ! '' and Jack took a little promenade to finish the rousing process . `` You 'd better hurry up , or you wo n't get your chores done before breakfast . No time for a ` go as you please ' now , '' said Frank ; and both boys laughed , for it was an old joke of theirs , and rather funny . Going up to bed one night expecting to find Jack asleep , Frank discovered him tramping round and round the room airily attired in a towel , and so dizzy with his brisk revolutions that as his brother looked he tumbled over and lay panting like a fallen gladiator . `` What on earth are you about ? '' `` Playing Rowell . Walking for the belt , and I 've got it too , '' laughed Jack , pointing to an old gilt chandelier chain hanging on the bedpost . `` You little noodle , you 'd better revolve into bed before you lose your head entirely . I never saw such a fellow for taking himself off his legs . '' `` Well , if I did n't exercise , do you suppose I should be able to do that -- or that ? '' cried Jack , turning a somersault and striking a fine attitude as he came up , flattering himself that he was the model of a youthful athlete .
`` You look more like a clothes-pin than a Hercules , '' was the crushing reply of this unsympathetic XXXXX , and Jack meekly retired with a bad headache .
athlete belt brother eyes gladiator hand miles moment somersault stretch