the dinner and washed them, and then set out for school.

4. Fred's father was away from home, and as there was some cold meat in
the pantry, Mrs. Liscom found it an easy task to prepare dinner. Fred
hurried home from school, set the table, and again washed the dishes.

5. He kept on in this way for two or three days, till his mother was able
to resume her usual work, and he felt amply rewarded when the doctor, who
happened in one day, said, "Well, madam, it's my opinion that you would
have been very sick if you had not kept quiet."

6. The doctor did not know how the "quiet" had been secured, nor how the
boy's heart bounded at his words. Fred had given up a great deal of what
boys hold dear, for the purpose of helping his mother, coasting and
skating being just at this time in perfection.

7. Besides this, his temper and his patience had been severely tried. He
had been in the habit of going early to school, and staying to play after
it was dismissed.

8. The boys missed him, and their curiosity was excited when he would give
no other reason for not coming to school earlier, or staying after school,
than that he was a "wanted at home." "I'll tell you," said Tom Barton,
"I'll find him out, boys--see if I don't!"

9. So he called for Fred to go to school, and on his way to the side door
walked lightly and somewhat nearer the kitchen window than was absolutely
needful. Looking in, he saw Fred standing at the table with a dishcloth in
his hand.