"John D. Fitzgerald - The Great Brain ReformsUC - 5" - читать интересную книгу автора (Fitzgerald John D)

railing.. <'

I thinic that was the first time in Tom's life that he
hadn't been able to outsmart a kid. He looked as stunned
as a boy who has just been told the school term has been
increased from nine months to twelve months each year.
.-i i"

"Come back here," he yelled at Frankie, who was go-
ing toward the house. "You win. J. D. will give you the
nickel each week."

Frankie stopped and turned around to look at me.
"I'll help for my nickel," he said.

Tom watched Frankie run toward the house. "He is
too little to help with the chores," he said.

"No, he isn't," I said. "Frankie was born and raised
on a farm. He has been helping me with the chores ever
since coming to live with us. He waters the livestock, and
waters and feeds the chickens, and helps carry in kindling
wood."

"In other words," Tom said, "he has been doing
about one fourth of the chores."

"About," I said.

"And I suppose," Tom said, "that you've t)eenJ>aymg
him one fourth of the allowance each week for helping."

"Of course not," I said. "He volunteered \o hel^ for
nothing."

Tom shook his head. "I am ashamed of you, J. D.,"
he said, "taking advantage of that poor little boy. By
rights you owe Frankie a nickel a week for helping with
the chores since Papa and Mamma adopted him. And that

* 9

would amount to about a dollar and a half. Oh well, when
I tell Papa about it I'm sure he'll make you give Frankie
the dollar and a half."

"But he volunteered," I protested, "And besides you
just told Frankie that brothers don't snitct) on each other.
I happen to be your flesh-and-blood brother.", .