The Brothers, or, Tales of Long Ago

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAP. III.JOHN'S TROUBLES. STEPHEN was sitting thinking over what he had heard, and looking at the Bible pictures, when the click of the garden gate disturbed him, and he looked up to see his brother appearing; not, as usual, with a light step and laughing face; indeed he looked so gloomy that Stephen ran...
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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAP. III.JOHN'S TROUBLES. STEPHEN was sitting thinking over what he had heard, and looking at the Bible pictures, when the click of the garden gate disturbed him, and he looked up to see his brother appearing; not, as usual, with a light step and laughing face; indeed he looked so gloomy that Stephen ran to him and asked what was the matter. It was an improvement that the younger brother could look up at him frankly now, and speak easily; that day's trouble and sympathy seemed suddenly to have carried him over the barriers of shyness and restraint. Yesterday, Johnnie would have been full of delight at his brother's show of friendship; but now his brow did not clearno smile came to his lips. He only put his arm round Stephen, and began to walk up and down the garden with him. What is the matter, Johnnie? The other did not answer. Is anything the matter? Yes; I'm in a scrapesuch a scrape as I never was in before at school; and Johnnie looked still more put out Tell me about it, do It's no good telling. But I've been treated unjustly; and I don't care what they say. If they don't treat me fairly, I won't behave myself, and so I tell them. John's voice had a sound of rebellion in it, and his eyes flashed; Stephen looked very much awe-struck, but he made no answer, for at the moment Mrs. Baynes had come up to them, and was looking surprised and distressed at John's loud voice and excited face. My dear boy, you have not been getting into trouble at school? Yes, I have, he said, rather sullenly. But what was it ? I am sure you did not wish to give your teacher trouble, Johnnie. Mr. Moore said he should come and tell you all about it, said John bitterly. Mr. Moore was the rector of the parish, and the idea that he...