Tony's spirits were unusually buoyant. The sympathy and co-operation of the club in regard to Little Paul's father was in the highest degree grateful to his feelings. Perhaps his companions did not so cheerfully resign the project of the fleet; perhaps they had acted upon the impulse of the moment; but they were all to experience the benefit of doing a good deed, and sacrificing their own gratification for the happiness of others. Tony felt better for the sacrifice they had made, and probably the rest of them shared his feelings. He was satisfied that they did not fully2 realize what they had done, and with the determination to take a fit opportunity to talk over the matter with them, he took his place in the boat.
The Zephyrs3 were laying on their oars4, waiting for the Butterfly when she backed out of the boat house.
"You are late, Tony, which is rather odd for you," said Frank.
"We had a little business to attend to, which detained us," replied Tony; "and while we are here we may as well tell you about it. We have voted our money away."
"For the fleet?"
"No; we have given that up."
"Indeed! Given it up?" exclaimed Frank, not a little surprised at this declaration.
"Fact, Frank!"
"Something new has turned up, then?"
"Let us lash5 boats to keep us from drifting apart, and I will tell you all about it."
The two boats were fastened together fore6 and aft, and Tony proceeded to tell the story of Little Paul's father. He spoke7 loud enough for all the Zephyrs to hear him, and as his heart warmed towards Mr. Munroe in his misfortunes, his eyes dilated8, and his gestures were as apt and energetic as though he had been an orator9 all his lifetime.
"I see what you have done with your money," said Frank, as the speaker paused at the close of the narrative10. "It was like you, Tony—noble and generous!"
"We gave all our money for the relief of Mr. Munroe; but I didn't even suggest the thing to the fellows. Henry Brown made the motion, and it was a unanimous vote."
"Bravo, Butterflies!"
"Have you given up the fleet?" asked Tim Bunker, whose face was the only one which did not glow with satisfaction.
"Yes."
"There is more fun in helping11 a poor man out of trouble than in working a fleet," added Henry Brown.
"So I say," put in Dick Chester.
"Humph!" grunted12 Tim.
"But, Tony, you said the note was five hundred dollars—didn't you?" asked Frank.
"I did."
"And you have only four hundred?"
"That's all;" and Tony's eyes rekindled13 with delight at the anticipation14 of what the Zephyrs would do.
"You hear that, fellows."
"Would a motion be in order now?" asked Charles Hardy15.
"Hold your tongue, you fool!" said Tim Bunker, in a low tone. "We can get another boat with our money, and you shall be coxswain of it."
Charles looked at him.
"A motion would be in order; at least we can make it in order," replied Frank.
But Charles hesitated. The tempting16 offer of Tim, the absurdity17 of which he did not stop to consider, conquered his first impulse.
"I move you we appropriate one hundred dollars to put with the Butterfly's money for Mr. Munroe," said William Blight18, and Charles had lost the honor of making the motion.
"Second the motion," added Fred Harper.
Those in favor of giving our money to Mr. Munroe will signify it."
"Vote against it," said Tim, and Charles accepted the suggestion.
"Ten; it is a vote, though not unanimous," continued Frank, as he cast a reproachful glance at his friend who had voted against the proposition.
He was not surprised to see Tim Bunker vote against it; but that Charles should receive the advice of such a counselor19, and such advice, too, was calculated to alarm him. His friend had but little firmness, and was perhaps more likely to be led away by bad influence than any other member of the club. He was sorry to see Tim exhibiting his dogged disposition20, but more sorry to see Charles so much under his control.
"Hurrah21!" shouted Tony, when the vote was declared. "Let us send up to Mr. Munroe, and tell him what we have done, and get little Paul. They won't want him now."
"But, Tony, you forget that our doings must be approved by our directors," said Frank.
"I'll risk them."
"It would be better to have everything right before we promise Mr.
Munroe."
"So it would. Is your father at home?"
"I believe so."
"George is, and it won't take five minutes to obtain his consent. Let go the fasts forward," said Tony, as he cast off the line astern.
"We will go ashore22 and try to find my father," added Frank.
"Ready—pull!"
Away dashed the Zephyr towards her boat house, while the Butterfly came about so that Tony could leap on shore.
Of course both Captain Sedley and George Weston were surprised at the sudden action of the clubs; but the deed was too noble, too honorable to their kind hearts to want their sanction, and it was readily given. In less than half an hour the boats were pulling towards a convenient landing-place near Mr. Munroe's house.
The poor man was confounded when the committee of two from each club waited upon him and stated their business. His eyes filled with tears, and he and Little Paul wept together.
But Mr. Munroe could not think of taking the money at first. He declared that he would suffer anything rather than deprive the boys of the gratification which their money would purchase.
"We are a little selfish about it, sir," said Tony. "We want to keep
Paul among us."
"That's the idea," added Henry Brown, who was his colleague on the committee.
"I can't take your money, boys," replied Mr. Munroe, firmly.
"You will oblige us very much by taking it. My brother and Captain Sedley both know what we are about. I am sure we shall feel happier in letting you have this money than we should be made by anything it will buy. It was a unanimous vote in our club."
"Noble little fellows!" exclaimed Mr. Munroe, with a fresh burst of tears, as he grasped the hand of Tony.
The matter was argued for some time longer, and finally compromised by
Mr. Munroe's agreeing to accept the money as a loan.
The notes were drawn24 up and signed by the poor man, whose heart was filled to overflowing25 with gratitude26 at this unexpected relief.
"Now you will let Paul come with us—won't you, Mr. Munroe?" asked Tony.
"Certainly; and I shall never cease to thank God that he has found such noble and true friends," replied the poor man; and as they took their leave, he warmly pressed the hands of each member of the committee.
"Cheer up, Paul; don't be downhearted. It is all right now," said Tony.
"I can't be lively," replied Little Paul, whose sadness cast a shade upon the enjoyment27 of the others.
"Why not, Paul?"
"I feel so sad; and your goodness to my poor father overcomes me."
"Never mind that, Paul; cheer up, and we will have a glorious time."
But Little Paul's feelings were too strong and deep to be easily subdued28. His pride seemed to be wounded by the events of the day, and when they reached Center Island, he told Tony how badly he felt about his father being the recipient29 of their charity, as he called it.
"Charity, Paul!" exclaimed the noble little fellow. "Look here;" and he pulled the note he had received from Mr. Munroe out of his pocket. "Do you call this charity?"
"Perhaps he can never pay you; at least it will be a long time."
"No matter; it is a fair trade. We lent him the money."
And Tony argued the point with as much skill as a lawyer would have done, and finally so far succeeded in convincing Paul, that his face brightened with a cheerful smile, and he joined with hearty30 zest31 in the preparations for the May-day picnic.
A long spruce pole, which had been prepared for the occasion by Uncle Ben, was towed to the island by the Zephyr, and erected32 in a convenient place. The brushwood in the grove33 was cleared from the ground, the large stones were rolled out of the way, and were used in constructing a pier23 for convenience in landing. When their labors34 were concluded it was nearly dark, and the boats pulled for home, each member of the clubs anticipating a glorious time on the approaching holiday, for such the committee had decided35 the First of May should be.
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1
zephyr
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| n.和风，微风 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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zephyrs
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| n.和风，微风( zephyr的名词复数 ) | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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5
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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7
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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8
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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12
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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13
rekindled
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| v.使再燃( rekindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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18
blight
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| n.枯萎病；造成破坏的因素；vt.破坏，摧残 | |
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19
counselor
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| n.顾问，法律顾问 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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24
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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25
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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26
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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27
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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28
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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29
recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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30
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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31
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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32
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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33
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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34
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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35
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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