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

"I don't consider this snitching at all," Tom said.
"You took advantage of our little foster brother and should
be punished for it."

I knew by the time The Great Brain got through tell-
ing about it that it would sound as if I had been beating
Frankie with a horsewhip to make him help me with the

chores.

*

"Please don't tell," I pleaded.

Tom thought about it for a moment. "I had to give
up a nickel a week to Frankie not to tell," he said. "And I
think you should be punished for taking advantage of a
little boy. Suppose you give me a nickel a week not to tell
' and we'll consider that your punishment."

"It's a deal," I said gratefully. A nickel a week to
Tom during the summer vacation would only come to
about sixty-five cents. That was a lot better than having
to give Frankie a dollar and a half, besides any punish-
ment ?apa would hand down.

^

. 'I went with Tbm and Frankie to Smith's vacant lot
after"lunch-.1 Mr. Smith let us use the lot as a playground
in exchange for keeping it clear of weeds. Most of the fel-
lows were there getting ready for a game of baseball. They
all acted as* if they were glad to see Tom as they shook
hands and said hello, although none of them had been at
the depot to meet him. I guess they were both glad and
sorry to know he was back in town. Tom had always been
a leader and something exciting was always happening
when he 4 was around. And like Uncle Mark had said,
things had been mighty dull with Tom away. I guess that's
why they were glad to have him back. But there wasn't a
kid there who hadn't been swindled at one time or an-
other by The Great Brain and that's why they were sorry
he was back in town. Tom had whipped every kid there

his age or older at one time or another. And tor my money,
there is nothing like trying to be friends with a boy you

know can whip you.

Tom insisted they show him any new baseball equip- -