Page:Madame Butterfly; Purple eyes; A gentleman of Japan and a lady; Kito; Glory (1904).djvu/169

 your little sister to prop this beam, and give me a rest. Never mind your trousers."

But the cadet got himself carefully inside, rolled up his trousers, pulled his sleeves out of the way, and then did as he was told with great efficiency.

Bob jumped down, and caught his mother up in his arms.

"I say, little mammy," Bob began, "I 'm as sorry as I possibly can be—"

"I 'm not," sobbed his mother, savagely.

"What?" shouted Bob, giving her an ecstatic hug." Thanks!"

"It was very foolish of me, and vulgar. I don't want you to make speeches."

"Second the motion," said Bob.

"Except like that one."

"'Get out'?"

"You said 'git'!"

"Oh, well," laughed Bob.

His mother, for once, did n't seem to care a particle about the style of his language.

"I want you to be able to do things."

"That 's all right," said Bob, confidently.

"And to be brave," said his mother.

"That 's harder," confessed Bob. "Kohana-San?" He looked about, but she and the Admiral had quietly slipped out, fearing