for the next few days. I believe that a raw beefsteak is the best
thing to put on your eye, but is not such a thing in the house, and
if there was, I don't think that I should be justified in wasting
it for such a purpose. I should say the next best thing would be to
keep a cloth soaked in cold water on your face; that will probably
take down the swelling to some extent."

After tea Ned repaired to the kitchen, where Abijah, with much
scolding and some commiseration, applied a wet cloth to his face,
and fastened a handkerchief over it to keep it in its place. Then
the boy went into the little room which his father called his
study, where he used to read the papers, to follow the doings of
the British armies in the field, and above all to smoke his pipe
in quiet. He laughed as Ned entered.

"You look like a wounded hero, indeed, Ned. Now sit down, my boy,
and tell me about this business; not, you know, that I have any
objection to your fighting when it's necessary. My experience is
that it is the nature of boys to fight, and it is no use trying
to alter boys' nature. As I have always told you, don't get into
a fight if you can help it; but, if you once begin, fight it out
like a man."

"Well, I couldn't help it this time, father, and I will tell you
all about it. I promised not to tell; but what was meant by that
was that I should not tell any one who would do anything about it;
and as I know you won't, why, of course I can tell you."

"I don't know what you mean in the least, Ned; a promise, whatever
it is about, is a promise."