No, I'm all right," he ended, in answer to
tender inquiries. "I'll go on helpin'."
He was with difficulty persuaded to retire to bed at a slightly
earlier hour than usual.
"Well," he confessed, "I'm a bit tired with helpin' all day."
Soon after he had gone Mr. Brown and Robert arrived.
"And how have things gone to-day?" said Mr. Brown cheerfully.
"Thank heaven William goes to school to-morrow," said Ethel devoutly.
Upstairs in his room William was studying himself in the glass--torn
jersey, paint-stained trousers, blackened face.
"Well," he said with a deep sigh of satisfaction, "I guess I've jolly
well _helped_ to-day!"
CHAPTER XI
WILLIAM AND THE SMUGGLER
William's family were going to the seaside for February. It was not an
ideal month for the seaside, but William's father's doctor had ordered
him a complete rest and change.
"We shall have to take William with us, you know," his wife had said
as they discussed plans.
"Good heavens!" groaned Mr. Brown. "I thought it was to be a _rest_
cure."
"Yes, but you know what he is," his wife urged. "I daren't leave him
with anyone. Certainly not with Ethel. We shall have to take them
both. Ethel will help with him."
Ethel was William's grown-up sister.
"All right," agreed her husband finally. "You can take all
responsibility. I formally disown him from now till we get back. I
don't care _what_ trouble he lands you in.
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