Part 9 (1/2)
”It was Bob Henderson,” volunteered several.
”Yes, Mr. Blackton,” said Mrs. Henderson. ”I am sorry to have to admit that it was my son who played that prank. But he is going to be punished for it. His father has sent him home and has followed after him.”
”I hope he will not punish Bob too severely. It was a boyish prank, due more to thoughtlessness than to malice.”
”I suppose it was, but Bob plays altogether too many such pranks. I think this will be the last.”
”Well, tell Bob I forgive him, though my trousers are ruined.”
”Mr. Henderson will arrange with you about that.”
”What--er--what chastis.e.m.e.nt does he contemplate administering to Bob?” asked the minister. He and Mrs. Henderson were conversing off to one side, in a corner of the room. ”I hope he will not whip him.
Bob is too big a boy to be whipped.”
”Still, parson, you know what the Good Book says: 'Spare the rod and spoil the child.'”
”Yes, Mrs. Henderson, I know. Chastis.e.m.e.nt is all right in many cases, but there are other means.”
”And it is my plan to take them,” went on Bob's mother. ”I have just made arrangements with Captain Spark to take Bob with him on a long sea voyage.”
”A sea voyage? That ought to be fine. Yes, I think that will be better than whipping Bob. Tell your husband I said so.”
”I shall. Now, if you will excuse me, I must see that these young people have plenty to eat. They are a hungry lot.”
”Indeed they are. Don't forget to tell Bob I forgive him. I don't want him to worry. Tell him, also, that he must be a little more thoughtful.”
”I will.”
When Captain Spark and Mrs. Henderson went home from the donation supper that night they discussed on the way the further plans of sending Bob to sea.
”We must consult Mr. Henderson about it,” said the captain.
”I shall, this very night. I will put up with Bob's nonsense no longer.”
Mr. Henderson was found sitting in the dining-room, reading a paper.
He had sent Bob to bed on arriving at the house, for Mr. Henderson was a man who did not believe in inflicting punishment in the heat of pa.s.sion. He wanted to calm down before he decided how his son ought to be made to realize the wrong he had done. To tell the truth, he was quite at a loss just what punishment to inflict.
He had thought of a sound whipping, but he realized, as had the minister, that Bob was too old for this. Nothing so breaks the proud spirit of a boy as personal chastis.e.m.e.nt, after he has reached a certain age.
And, as yet, Mr. Henderson was not aware of the proposition Captain Spark had made to Bob's mother, and her practical acceptance of it.
Of course, Mr. Henderson had heard the first talk of sending Bob to sea, but after his wife's refusal to consider it he had thought no more about it.
”Well, Enos,” asked Mrs. Henderson, as she and the captain entered, ”have you considered what to do with Bob?”
”I have, Lucy, but I have reached no conclusion.”
”I have.”
”You have? What is it?”