produced by an anonymous volunteer

jack and jill

by louisa may alcott

l.m.a . @number@

contents

chapter i the catastrophe chapter ii two penitents chapter iii ward no.

jack and jill

chapter i . the catastrophe

up and down three long coasts they went as fast as legs and sleds could carry them .

" here 's molly loo and little boo ! "

" no , she isn't ; here 's jack and jill going like fury . "

" clear the track for jolly jack ! "

sang the boys , who had rhymes and nicknames for nearly every one .

" jill goes wherever jack does , and he lets her .

he 's such a good-natured chap , he can't say ' no . ' "

" she wouldn't ! she 's a dear !

you needn't sniff at her because she is poor .

" who is going to the candy-scrape to-night ? "

" all of us .

frank invited the whole set , and we shall have a tip-top time .

we always do at the minots ' , " cried sue , the timid trembler .

" she is just as sweet as she can be ! " declared merry , enthusiastically .

" jack , take me down that coast .

" i guess i wouldn't .

it is very bumpy and ends in a big drift ; not half so nice as this one .

" it is very nice , but i won't be told i don't ' dare ' by any boy in the world .

if you are afraid , i 'll go alone . "

" if you will go , i 'll take you down all right .

" here , put these on ; i never use them .

keep them if they fit ; i only carry them to please mother . "

and jack pulled out a pair of red mittens with the air of a boy used to giving away .

" they are lovely warm , and they do fit .

jack laughed , and up they trudged to the spot whence the three coasts diverged .

" that one ! " and the red mitten pointed firmly to the perilous path just tried .

" you will do it ? "

" i will ! "

" come on , then , and hold tight . "

" i don't see anything very awful in that .

come up and have another .

" it is .

give me three go-bangs and then we 'll stop .

my tumble doesn't count , so give me two more and then i 'll be good . "

" it 's just splendid !

now , one more ! " cried jill , excited by the cheers of a sleighing party passing below .

alas , for the candy-scrape that never was to be !

alas , for poor " thunderbolt " blindly setting forth on the last trip he ever made !

and oh , alas , for jack and jill , who wilfully chose the wrong road and ended their fun for the winter !

smash-up !

run !

run ! " like a raven croaking over a battlefield when the fight was done .

down rushed boys and girls ready to laugh or cry , as the case might be , for accidents will happen on the best-regulated coasting-grounds .

" he 's killed !

he 's killed ! " wailed sue , hiding her face and beginning to cry .

" no , i'm not .

i 'll be all right when i get my breath .

where 's jill ? " asked jack , stoutly , though still too giddy to see straight .

but no wounds appeared , and when asked if she was dead , she answered in a vague sort of way ,

" i guess not .

is jack hurt ? "

jill shut her eyes and waved the girls away , saying , faintly ,

" never mind me .

go and see to him . "

" don't !

" i lit on my head , but i guess i 've broken my leg .

" take jill , too , for it 's my opinion she has broken her back .

" oh , i am so sorry !

it was my fault ; i shouldn't have let her do it , " said jack , distressfully .

" it was all my fault ; i made him .

if i 'd broken every bone i 've got , it would serve me right .

" here come the wood-sleds just in time .

i 'll cut away and tell one of them to hurry up . "

" had a little accident , have you ?

well , that 's a pretty likely place for a spill .

" all right .

just lay easy , my dear , and i won't hurt you a mite if i can help it . "

chapter ii .

two penitents

the wounded head ached dreadfully , and the poor boy felt as if bruised all over , for he had the worst of the fall .

" twenty-one days !

three whole weeks in bed !

i shouldn't call that quick work , " groaned the dismayed patient , whose experience of illness had been limited .

" it is a forty days ' job , young man , and you must make up your mind to bear it like a hero .

we will do our best ; but next time , look before you leap , and save your bones .

good-night ; you 'll feel better in the morning .

" whist , my lass , and go to sleep .

" i can't go to sleep ; i don't see how jack 's mother could send me anything when i 've half killed him .

i want to be cold and ache and have horrid things done to me .

oh , if i ever get out of this bed i 'll be the best girl in the world , to pay for this .

see if i ain't ! " and jill gave such a decided nod that her tears flew all about the pillow like a shower .

" am i hurt badly , mammy ? "

" i fear it , lass . "

" i 'm glad of it ; i ought to be worse than jack , and i hope i am .

i 'll bear it well , and be good right away .

sing , mammy , and i 'll try to go to sleep to please you . "

jack lay wide awake , with hot cheeks , and throbbing head , and all sorts of queer sensations in the broken leg .

it did soothe him , for a very sweet friendship existed between the tall youth and the lad of thirteen .

" not much .

i forget it listening to the music .

dear old ed is playing all my favorite tunes , and it is very nice .

i guess he feels pretty sorry about me . "

" they all do .

frank could not talk of it .

gus wouldn't go home to tea , he was so anxious to do something for us .

jack tried to laugh , but it was rather a failure , though he managed to say , cheerfully ,

" that was good of old joe .

i wouldn't lend him ' thunderbolt ' for fear he 'd hurt it .

couldn't have smashed it up better than i did , could he ?

don't think i want any pieces to remind me of that fall .

i just wish you 'd seen us , mother !

it must have been a splendid spill to look at , any way . "

" no , thank you ; i 'd rather not even try to imagine my precious boy going heels over head down that dreadful hill .

" no coasting till some time in january .

what a fool i was to do it !

go-bangs always are dangerous , and that 's the fun of the thing .

oh dear ! "

so she now set his mind at rest by saying , quietly .

" foolish fun , as you see , dear .

another time , stand firm and help jill to control her headstrong will .

when you learn to yield less and she more , there will be no scrapes like this to try us all . "

" i 'll remember , mother .

i hate not to be obliging , but i guess it would have saved us lots of trouble if i 'd said no in the beginning .

i tried to , but she would go .

poor jill !

i 'll take better care of her next time .

is she very ill , mamma ? "

" i can tell you better to-morrow .

she does not suffer much , and we hope there is no great harm done . "

" i wish she had a nice place like this to be sick in .

" my blessed boy , what is it ? " she whispered , with a touch and a tone that only mothers have .

the blue eyes opened wide , and jack 's own sunshiny smile broke through the tears that filled them as he said with a sniff ,

" everybody is so good to me i can't help making a noodle of myself .

" you are not a noodle ! " cried mamma , resenting the epithet .

don't forget that , little son . "

" don't see how i can , with you to show me how nice it is .

kiss me good-night , and then ' i 'll be good , ' as jill says . "

chapter iii .

ward no . @number@

for some days , nothing was seen and little was heard of the " dear sufferers , " as the old ladies called them .

but they were not forgotten ; the first words uttered when any of the young people met were : " how is jack ? "

but young spirits are wonderfully elastic and soon cheer up , and healthy young bodies heal fast , or easily adapt themselves to new conditions .

frank 's was full of books , maps , machinery , chemical messes , and geometrical drawings , which adorned the walls like intricate cobwebs .

in winter his mother made things more comfortable by introducing rugs , curtains , and a fire .

a white-covered table stood near , with all manner of dainties set forth in a way to tempt the sternest principles .

vases of flowers bloomed on the chimney-piece , gifts from anxious young ladies , left with their love .

" i 'll read to you .

here 's watt , arkwright , fulton , and a lot of capital fellows , with pictures that will do your heart good .

" i don't want any of your old boilers and stokers and whirligigs .

" no fun ; just two of us .

wish school was over , so the boys would come in ; doctor said i might see them now . "

" they 'll be along by and by , and i 'll hail them .

till then , what shall we do ?

i 'm your man for anything , only put a name to it . "

" just wish i had a telegraph or a telephone , so i could talk to jill .

wouldn't it be fun to pipe across and get an answer ! "

" i 'll make either you say ; " and frank looked as if trifles of that sort were to be had for the asking .

" could you , really ? "

" go ahead , then .

i 'd like that , and so would jill , for i know she wants to hear from me . "

" oh , never mind ; i won't want anything .

if i do , i can pound for ann . "

" and wake mother .

" let it alone , unless you need something very much , and don't bother about the glass .

it 's just what we want for the telegraph wire or rope to go through .

" it 's those children at their pranks again .

a letter from jack , with a large orange , went first , explaining the new enterprise :

" dear jill , it 's too bad you can't come over to see me .

i am pretty well , but awful tired of keeping still .

i want to see you ever so much .

frank has fixed us a telegraph , so we can write and send things .

won't it be jolly !

i send you an orange .

do you like gorver jelly ?

people send in lots of goodies , and we will go halves .

good-by .

" jack "

away went the basket , and in fifteen minutes it came back from the cottage with nothing in it but the orange .

" hullo !

is she mad ? " asked jack , as frank brought the despatch for him to examine .

two bits of straw were the legs , and the face looked so like dr whiting that both boys laughed at the sight .

" that 's so like jill ; she 'd make fun if she was half dead .

let's see what she says ; " and jack read the little note , which showed a sad neglect of the spelling-book :

" dear jacky , i can't stir and it 's horrid .

the telly graf is very nice and we will have fun with it .

i never ate any gorver jelly .

the orange was first rate .

send me a book to read .

all about bears and ships and crockydiles .

the doctor was coming to see you , so i sent him the quickest way .

molly loo says it is dreadful lonesome at school without us .

yours truly ,

" jill "

" how are you , major ? "

" does the leg ache much , jack ? "

" mr phipps says you 'll have to pay for the new rails . "

" help yourselves , " said jack , with a hospitable wave .

" all the dear old ladies in town have been sending in nice things , and i can't begin to eat them up .

lend a hand and clear away this lot , or we shall have to throw them out of the window .

bring on the doughnuts and the tarts and the shaky stuff in the entry closet , frank , and let's have a lark . "

no sooner said than done .

gus took the tarts , joe the doughnuts , ed the jelly , and frank suggested " spoons all round " for the italian cream .

" call again to-morrow , gentlemen , and we will have another bout .

free lunches at @time@ . till further notice .

now tell me all the news . "

they did so , and shouted with merriment when the next despatch from jill arrived .

mammy says i can't eat it , and it will all melt away if i keep it .

also a picture of jack minot , who will dance on one leg and waggle the other , and make you laugh .

i wish i could come , too .

don't you hate grewel ?

i do .

in haste ,

" j.p . "

" you ought to be an artist .

i never saw such a dabster as you are .

the boys enjoyed the joke , and one after the other read out his message to the captive lady :

" dear jill , sorry you ain't here .

great fun .

jack pretty lively .

laura and lot would send love if they knew of the chance .

fly round and get well .

" gus "

" dear gilliflower , hope you are pretty comfortable in your ' dungeon cell . '

would you like a serenade when the moon comes ?

hope you will soon be up again , for we miss you very much .

shall be very happy to help in any way i can .

love to your mother .

your true friend ,

" e.d . "

" miss pecq .

" dear madam , i am happy to tell you that we are all well , and hope you are the same .

i gave jem cox a licking because he went to your desk .

you had better send for your books .

you won't have to pay for the sled or the fence .

jack says he will see to it .

we have been having a spread over here .

first-rate things .

i wouldn't mind breaking a leg , if i had such good grub and no chores to do .

no more now , from yours , with esteem ,

" joseph p flint "

" i 'm not going to show mine .

" my dear , i wish i could send you some of my good times .

ain't mothers sweet ?

mine is coming over to-morrow to see you and tell me how you are .

this round thing is a kiss for good-night .

" your jack "

" isn't that spoony ?

you 'd better hide your face , i think .

" only teasing jack a bit .

" i charged you not to worry him .

" he liked it , and we got on capitally till joe roughed him about jill .

ah , joe 's getting it now !

the red ear heard also , and jack popped up his head to ask , with interest ,

" what are they doing to him ? "

" rolling him in the snow , and he 's howling like fun . "

" serves him right , " muttered jack , with a frown .

hurry !

gus is so strong he doesn't know how his pounding hurts . "

off ran frank , and jack told his wrongs to his mother .

" it isn't silly to be fond of her , is it ?

" pooh !

i don't mean that ; i 'm strong enough now to take care of myself , " cried jack , stoutly .

" i can thrash joe any day , if i like .

" when it comes night , we put out the light .

some blow with a puff , some turn down and snuff ; but neat folks prefer a nice extinguis her .

so here i send you back one to put on mr jack . "

chapter iv .

ward no . @number@

the doctor spoke cheerfully , but looked sober , and mrs pecq began to fear that janey was to be a cripple for life .

she never used to mind trifles , but now she frets about the oddest things , and i can't change them .

i 've no other warm place to put her , and no money for a new paper .

poor lass !

there are hard times before her , i 'm fearing . "

jill was asleep in the folding chair dr whiting had sent , with a mattress to make it soft .

" please god , we will , mem !

with such good friends , i never should complain .

" we won't say , or even think , that , yet .

everything is possible to youth and health like janey 's .

we must keep her happy , and time will do the rest , i 'm sure .

let us begin at once , and have a surprise for her when she wakes . "

" keep up your heart , neighbor .

" oh , how pretty !

" the good fairy who never comes empty-handed .

" it 's a splendid plan to cover up that hateful wall .

i 'd stick pictures all round and have a gallery .

that reminds me !

up in the garret at our house is a box full of old fashion-books my aunt left .

i often look at them on rainy days , and they are very funny .

i 'll go this minute and get every one .

" now , that ship , setting out for some far-away place , is more to my mind .

" i 'd like to be a missionary and go where folks throw their babies to the crocodiles .

" we needn't go to africa to be missionaries ; they have ' em nearer home and need ' em , too .

one can find that sort of work anywhere , if one has a mind , " said mrs pecq .

" i wish we had some to do here .

i 'd so like to go round with baskets of tea and rice , and give out tracts and talk to people .

wouldn't you , girls ? " asked molly , much taken with the new idea .

" we wouldn't let the boys come in .

we 'd have it a secret society , as they do their temperance lodge , and we 'd have badges and pass-words and grips .

" i can tell you someone to begin on right away , " said her mother , nodding at her .

" as wild a little savage as i 'd wish to see .

take her in hand , and make a pretty-mannered lady of her .

begin at home , my lass , and you 'll find missionary work enough for a while . "

" now , mammy , you mean me !

well , i will begin ; and i 'll be so good , folks won't know me .

" you , merry , might do a deal at home helping mother , and setting the big brothers a good example .

" where shall i begin ?

" you will , my dear , " answered mrs pecq , encouragingly , for she knew all about it .

" now you 've each got a mission , let us see how well you will get on .

keep it secret , if you like , and report once a week .

i 'll be a member , and we 'll do great things yet . "

" we won't begin till after christmas ; there is so much to do , we never shall have time for any more .

don't tell , and we 'll start fair at new year 's , if not before , " said jill , taking the lead as usual .

" talking of parties , isn't it too bad that we must give up our christmas fun ?

" you 'd better give jack a hint about the party .

knowing that you would like to help , i send some paper for sugar-plum horns and some beads for necklaces .

they will brighten the tree and please the girls for themselves or their dolls .

jack sends you a horn for a pattern , and will you make a ladder-necklace to show him how ?

let me know if you need anything .

" yours in haste ,

" anna minot "

" so would i !

oh , do you think mrs minot will let you fill the horns when they are done ?

i 'd love to help you then .

" i 'm afraid you couldn't be trusted , you love sweeties so , and i 'm sure boo couldn't .

but i 'll see about it , " replied jill , with a responsible air .

being torn from this congenial labor , he was carried off shining with grease and roaring lustily .

so mrs minot 's recipe for sunshine proved successful , and mother-wit made the wintry day a bright and happy one for both the little prisoners .

chapter v secrets

in winter , the lads had their debating club , the lasses a dramatic ditto .

meantime the boys were studying revolutionary characters , and the girls rehearsing such dramatic scenes as they thought most appropriate and effective for the 22 d .

so ralph came often , and in times of trouble was a real rainy-day friend .

round the beds of jack and jill met and mingled the schoolmates of whom our story treats .

paper flowers followed , and gay garlands and bouquets blossomed , regardless of the snow and frost without .

but the secret which most excited the young people was the deep mystery of certain proceedings at the minot house .

" i think it is going to be a dance .

" they wouldn't have a party of that kind without jack and me .

frank exploded at the idea , and added to the mystification by saying ,

" there will be one little duck and one great donkey in it . "

then , fearing he had told the secret , he ran off , quacking and braying derisively .

" i know !

i know !

chapter vi .

surprises

" is it pleasant ? " was the question jill asked before she was fairly awake on christmas morning .

" yes , dear ; as bright as heart could wish .

now eat a bit , and then i 'll make you nice for the day 's pleasure .

" do you like it , dear ?

" only jack ; " and jill 's laugh was good to hear , as she glanced up with merry , yet wistful eyes .

" you are right .

port !

easy now !

pull away ! " from ralph and frank , as they steered the recumbent columbus on his first voyage of discovery .

" well , i call that handsome ! " was jack 's exclamation , when the full beauty of the scene burst upon his view .

" i 'm here !

i 'm here !

oh , do come , quick ! "

" isn't this jolly ! "

" how nice you look , " said jill , when they had duly admired the pretty room .

" so do you , " gallantly returned jack , as he surveyed her with unusual interest .

they did look very nice , though happiness was the principal beautifier .

jack was not so gay , but had made himself as fine as circumstances would permit .

" i 'm ever so glad to see you again ; guess we are over the worst of it now , and can have good times .

won't it be fun to stay here all the while , and amuse one another ? "

" yes , indeed ; but one day is so short !

it will be stupider than ever when i go home to-night , " answered jill , looking about her with longing eyes .

" but you are not going home to-night ; you are to stay ever so long .

didn't mamma tell you ? "

" no .

oh , how splendid !

am i really ?

where will i sleep ?

what will mammy do without me ? " and jill almost sat up , she was so delighted with the new surprise .

" that room in there is all fixed for you .

i made frank tell me so much .

mamma said i might tell you , but i didn't think she would be able to hold in if she saw you first .

your mother is coming , too , and we are all going to have larks together till we are well . "

while they wired on the candles the children asked questions , and found out all they wanted to know about the new plans and pleasures .

" who fixed all this ? "

" mamma thought of it , and ralph and i did it .

he 's the man for this sort of thing , you know .

he proposed cutting out the arches and sticking on birds and butterflies just where they looked best .

" your mother said you might call this the bird room .

" good for you !

yes , and we are going to keep her in this pretty cage till we can both fly off together .

" at the foot , if we don't study and keep up .

" frank said he 'd pull me along in my latin , but i 've been lazy and haven't done a thing .

" all right .

they 've been reviewing , so we can keep up when they begin , if we work next week , while the rest have a holiday .

" i never saw such a splendid tree before .

i 'm glad we could help , though we were ill .

" one thing more .

the rosy limbs were very life-like , so was the smiling face under the locks of shining hair .

" is it st nicholas ? " asked jill , who had never seen that famous personage , and knew but little of christmas festivities .

" it is the christ-child , whose birthday we are celebrating .

" it reminds me of the saints in the chapel of the sacred heart in montreal .

don't see how we can do anything else to show we are grateful . "

" it isn't easy to be good when one is sick , " said jill , thoughtfully .

" i fret dreadfully , i get so tired of being still .

i want to scream sometimes , but i don't , because it would scare mammy , so i cry .

do you cry , jack ? "

" men never do .

" a fellow can be awfully hungry , i know that .

i didn't half eat breakfast , i was in such a hurry to see you , and know all about the secrets .

" the new medicine works well , neighbor , " she said to mrs pecq , who followed with the lunch tray .

" indeed it does , mem .

i feel as if i 'd taken a sup myself , i 'm that easy in my mind . "

" more surprises !

oh , what fun ! " cried jill .

and all the rest of the morning , in the intervals of talk and play , they tried to guess what it could be .

" i call this broken bones made easy .

i never had a better christmas .

have a raisin ?

here 's a good fat one . "

and jack made a long arm to jill 's mouth , which began to sing " little jack horner " as an appropriate return .

" it would have been a lonesome one to all of us , i 'm thinking , but for your mother , boys .

" i rise to propose a health , our mothers . "

and frank stood up with a goblet of water , for not even at christmas time was wine seen on that table .

jill threw her mother a kiss , feeling very grown up and elegant to be dining out in such style .

" i hope the girls will like their things .

i helped to choose them , and each has a nice present .

" i do ; i chose it , so i know you will like one of them , any way . "

" have i got more than one ? "

" i guess you 'll think so when they are handed down .

" i know something , too .

that square bundle is what you want ever so much .

i told frank , and he got it for his present .

it is all red and gold outside , and every sort of color inside ; you 'll hurrah when you see it .

" don't talk about sleds , for mercy 's sake !

" well , i think plasters , and liniment , and rubbing , as bad as flat-irons any day .

" i guess you wouldn't think so if you 'd been pulled round as i was when they set my leg .

caesar , how it did hurt ! " and jack squirmed at the recollection of it .

" pooh !

girls always faint .

men are braver , and i didn't faint a bit in spite of all that horrid agony . "

" you howled ; frank told me so .

doctor said i was a brave girl , so you needn't brag , for you 'll have to go on a crutch for a while .

i know that . "

" you may have to use two of them for years , may be .

i heard the doctor tell my mother so .

i shall be up and about long before you will .

now then ! "

" well , young folks , how goes it ?

the girls all put on their necklaces , and danced about like fine ladies at a ball .

the blessed day

" what shall little children bring on christmas day , on christmas day ?

what shall little children bring on christmas day in the morning ?

" what shall little children sing on christmas day , on christmas day ?

what shall little children sing on christmas day in the morning ?

poor jack was hurt the worst , and he was brave , though he did scream .

i wish i could go and tell him so , and hear him say , ' all right . '

oh , me , i 've spoiled the day ! "

" may be it 's a torpedo to blow up and scare me ; jack likes to play tricks .

presently a voice whispered ,

" i say !

are you awake ? "

" yes . "

" any one there but you ? "

" no . "

" catch this , then .

hold it to your ear and see what you 'll get . "

the little drum came flying in , and , catching it , jill , with some hesitation , obeyed frank 's order .

judge of her amazement when she caught in broken whispers these touching words :

" sorry i was cross .

forgive and forget .

start fair to-morrow .

all right .

jack . "

" i 'm sorry , too .

never , never , will again .

feel much better now .

good-night , you dear old thing . "

i will be good ! "

chapter vii .

jill 's mission

" i shall keep my speller by me and take a look at it every day , for that is what i 'm most backward in .

but i intend to devote myself to you , jack , and be real kind and useful .

jack was a most engaging heathen , and needed very little instruction ; therefore jill thought her task would be an easy one .

jack had a nice little collection , and had been saving up pocket-money to buy a book in which to preserve his treasures .

" my dears ! what new play have you got now ?

" oh , we just stuck them there to keep them safe ; they get lost if we leave them lying round .

it 's rare , and i wouldn't lose it for a dollar . "

" why , there it is on your own nose .

" so i did , and gave you little bolivar on yours .

now i 'll have alsace and lorraine , @number@

" oh , i say , isn't corea a beauty ?

i 'm ever so proud of that ; " and he gazed fondly on a big blue stamp , the sole ornament of one page .

" i don't see why the cape of good hope has pyramids .

they ought to go in egypt .

" turkey has crescents , australia swans , and spain women 's heads , with black bars across them .

frank says it is because they keep women shut up so ; but that was only his fun .

" why does austria have mercury on the stamp , i wonder ?

do they wear helmets like that ? " asked jill , with the brush-handle in her mouth as she cut a fresh batch of flaps .

" may be he was postman to the gods , so he is put on stamps now .

the prussians wear helmets , but they have spikes like the old roman fellows .

i like prussians ever so much ; they fight splendidly , and always beat .

austrians have a handsome uniform , though . "

" talking of romans reminds me that i have not heard your latin for two days .

come , lazybones , brace up , and let us have it now .

" don't know it .

not going to try till next week .

you asked me to hear you , and i 'm going to do it ; here 's the book . "

now both these vents for irritation were denied him , and he had fallen into the way of throwing things about in a pet .

" keep them , then , and your old book , too !

i won't look at it till you give all my stamps back and say you are sorry .

so now ! "

it was all over before mamma could interfere , or jill do more than clutch and cling to the gum-brush .

" it 's the album !

o jack , how could you ? " cried jill , dismayed at sight of the precious book so maltreated by the owner .

" thought it was the other .

guess it isn't hurt much .

didn't mean to hit him , any way .

" i heard once of a boy who threw a fork at his brother and put his eye out .

" did the boy ever forgive himself ? " asked mrs minot .

" no , ' m ; i suppose not .

but jack didn't hit frank , and feels real sorry , i know . "

" he might have , and hurt him very much .

our actions are in our own hands , but the consequences of them are not .

remember that , my dear , and think twice before you do anything . "

" i am going to see if jack is covered up , he is so helpless , and liable to take cold .

don't stir till i come back . "

" no , ' m , i won't . "

" wouldn't it be fun to keep it till he gives back jack 's stamps ?

i 'll get it , and jack and i will plan some way to pay him off , cross thing ! "

hard words to write of one so young , doubly hard to read , and impossible to forget .

" dear lizzie , jack continues to do very well , and will soon be up again .

but we begin to fear that the little girl is permanently injured in the back .

now she knew the truth , and shut her eyes with a shiver as she said , low , to herself ,

" twenty years !

i couldn't bear it ; oh , i couldn't bear it ! "

" that is why mammy sighs so when she dresses me , and every one is so good to me .

perhaps mrs minot doesn't really know , after all .

she was dreadfully scared about jack , and he is getting well .

i 'd like to ask doctor , but he might find out about the letter .

oh , dear , why didn't i keep still and let the horrid thing alone ! "

" i 've told a lie , for i said i wouldn't stir .

i 've hurt my back , i 've done a mean thing , and i 've got paid for it .

" now i 've got another secret to keep all alone , for i 'd be ashamed to tell the girls .

i guess i 'll turn round and study my spelling ; then no one will see my face . "

i really believe there is a telegraph still working somewhere between you two , and each knows what the other is about without words . "

she also recollected that a paper flew off the table , but being in haste she had not stopped to see what it was .

jill had been winding wool for a stripe in her new afghan , and the green ball lay on her sofa .

" i will wait for her to tell me .

" shall i hear your lesson , dear ?

jack means to recite his like a good boy , so suppose you follow his example , " she said , presently .

" i don't know as i can say it , but i 'll try . "

" do you know what that means ? " asked her teacher , thinking to help her on by defining the word .

" are you in pain , my child ?

never mind the lesson ; tell me , and i 'll do something for you . "

" sly old stamp !

" please tell me about lucinda snow .

if i am to be like her , i might as well know how she managed to bear it so long . "

" why , how could she be ?

what did she do ? " cried jill , forgetting her own troubles to look up with an open , eager face again .

so , you see , lucinda was not so very miserable after all . "

" well , if i could not be as i was , i 'd like to be a woman like that .

" so do i ; and i mean to believe that you will not .

meantime , we can try to make the waiting as useful and pleasant as possible .

chapter viii .

merry and molly

now let us see how the other missionaries got on with their tasks .

" little daughter has got something on her mind , i mistrust .

" when i 've helped clear up , i 'll come and talk .

" well , i don't care if i do , for i 've been on my feet since five o'clock .

be sure you cover things up , and shut the buttery door , and put the cat down cellar , and sift your meal .

i 'll see to the buckwheats last thing before i go to bed . "

" why , father , you know i don't !

i haven't played with dollies for years and years .

no ; i want to fix up my room pretty , like jill 's .

i 'll do it all myself , and only want a few things , for i don't expect it to look as nice as hers . "

indignation gave merry courage to state her wishes boldly , though she knew the boys would laugh .

they did , and her mother said in a tone of surprise ,

" why , child , what more can you want ?

" let me have some old things out of the garret , and i 'll show you what i want .

it is neat , but so bare and ugly i hate to be there .

" so do i , and that 's a fact .

i couldn't get on without my pretty girl here , any way .

" i wish i had a dozen in the sitting-room window .

" i 'll fetch you some next time i go over to ballad 's .

" you may have anything you like out of the blue chest .

she kept her word , and the very stormy afternoon when jill got into trouble , merry was working busily at her little bower .

three faded red-moreen curtains went up at the windows over the chilly paper shades , giving a pleasant glow to the bare walls .

the little air-tight stove was banished , and a pair of ancient andirons shone in the fire-light .

on the walls she hung three old-fashioned pictures , which she ventured to borrow from the garret till better could be found .

" now i 'll call them all to see , and say that it is pretty .

the third little missionary had the hardest time of all , and her first efforts were not much more satisfactory nor successful than the others .

so maria louisa and napoleon bonaparte got on as they could , without the tender cares of a mother .

" well , dears , it 's of no use to worry .

i guess we shall get along somehow , if we don't fret . "

the furniture was dusty , stove untidy , and the carpet looked as if crumbs had been scattered to chickens who declined their breakfast .

" i 'll clear up first and do that by and by .

" what new whimsey now ?

generally , the dishes stand round till i have time to pick ' em up , and you are off coasting or careering somewhere .

" it will be an awful job , and he is so happy i won't plague him yet .

" what are you going to wash now ? "

" now , maria louisa bemis , you ain't going to cut up no capers with that child !

the idea of a hot bath in the middle of the day , and him full of dinner , and croupy into the bargain !

" i shall ask father , and do it to-night , for i will not have my brother look like a pig . "

" i 'll put things in order , and then mend up my rags , if i can find my thimble .

" oh , my heart , what a muddle !

glad i can't do any more now !

" please , papa , i want a dollar to get some brass buttons and things to fix boo 's clothes with .

he wore a hole in his new trousers coasting down the kembles ' steps .

and can't i wash him ?

he needs it , and miss bat won't let me have a tub . "

" certainly , child , certainly ; do what you like , only don't keep me .

armed with the paternal permission , molly carried her point , and oh , what a dreadful evening poor boo spent !

" no , i won't !

" no , no ; i won't be a heevin !

i don't want to be frowed to the trockindiles .

molly thought her labors were over for that night , and soon went to bed , tired with her first attempts .

" i knew it !

bring the child to me , and don't fret .

chapter ix .

the debating club

" look here , old man , we ought to have a meeting .

" all right .

when , where , and what ? " asked gus , who was a man of few words .

" to-night , our house , subject , ' shall girls go to college with us ? '

" very good ; i 'll pass the word and be there .

hullo , neddy !

the d.c. meets to-night , at minot 's , seven sharp .

" i 'll come .

" very good of you , i 'm sure , " said gus , ironically , not a bit deceived by this polite attention .

then they all laughed at some joke of their own , and gus added , " no girls coming to hear us to-night .

don't think it , my son .

" more 's the pity , " and ed shook his head regretfully over the downfall of his hopes .

" we must have a game party next week .

the girls like that , and so do i , " candidly observed gus , whose pleasant parlors were the scene of many such frolics .

" dull ; things will look up toward spring , they say .

" no ; i 've chosen business , and i mean to stick to it , so don't you unsettle my mind .

" skating is so good , i don't get much time .

come early , and we 'll have a turn at it . "

" i will .

must run home now . "

" pretty cold loafing here . "

" mail is in by this time . "

" here , my hero , see how you like this .

" ha , ha , that looks fine !

i 'd like to try it right off , but i won't till i get leave .

" mostly .

rather a neat job , i flatter myself . "

" i should say so .

what a clever fellow you are !

any new inventions lately ? " asked frank , coming up to examine and admire .

" go on , and tell about them .

i never heard of an anti-snorer .

jack better have one , " said frank , interested at once .

they thought it was a good joke , and told me to see what i could do .

i thought it over , and got up the nicest little affair you ever saw .

it suited exactly .

i think of taking out a patent , " concluded ralph , joining in the boys ' laugh at the droll idea .

" what was the pad ? " asked frank , returning to the small model of an engine he was making .

" oh , that was a mere trifle for a man who had a tender elbow-joint and wanted something to protect it .

i made a little pad to fit on , and his crazy-bone was safe . "

" i 'd do my best for you .

here gus , ed , and several other boys came in , and the conversation became general .

grif , chick , and brickbat were three young gentlemen whose own respectable names were usually ignored , and they cheerfully answered to these nicknames .

frank gave three raps with an old croquet-mallet set on a short handle , and with much dignity opened the meeting .

the secretary will now read the report of the last meeting . "

clearing his throat , gus read the following brief and elegant report :

" club met , @date@ at the house of g burton , esq

subject : ' is summer or winter best fun ? '

a lively pow-wow .

about evenly divided .

j flint fined five cents for disrespect to the chair .

a collection of forty cents taken up to pay for breaking a pane of glass during a free fight of the members on the door-step .

e devlin was chosen secretary for the coming year , and a new book contributed by the chairman . "

" that 's all . "

bob walker wants to join , and i think we ought to let him .

he is trying to behave well , and i am sure we could help him .

can't we ? "

all the boys looked sober , and joe , otherwise brickbat , said , bluntly , " i won't .

he 's a bad lot , and we don't want any such here .

let him go with chaps of his own sort . "

" that is just what i want to keep him from !

he wants to come here , and would be so proud if he was let in , i know he 'd behave .

" you needn't .

" we won't let you off ! "

" club would go to smash , if you back out ! "

" we might do that , " said frank , who did object to small boys , though willing to admit this particular one .

" that 's a good idea !

put it to vote , " said gus , too kind-hearted to shut the door on any one .

" good !

we all turn our backs on him , so he loafs round the tavern , and goes with fellows we don't care to know .

but he isn't bad yet , and we can keep him up , i 'm sure , if we just try .

" he is learning to smoke , but we 'll make him drop it before it leads to worse .

" no , sir !

i believe in co-everything ! " cried chick , a mild youth , who loyally escorted a chosen damsel home from school every day .

a laugh greeted this bold declaration , and chick sat down , red but firm .

" fire away , then , since you are up ; " commanded frank .

they don't belong there , nobody wants ' em , and they 'd better be at home darning their stockings . "

" yours , too , " put in ralph , who had heard that argument so often he was tired of it .

" of course ; that 's what girls are for .

i don't mind ' em at school , but i 'd just as soon they had a room to themselves .

we should get on better . "

" it is clear to my mind that boys would get on better without any girls fooling round .

no , sir ; girls ain't meant to know much , and they can't .

wise folks say so and i believe ' em .

groans from gus and ed greeted the closing remarks of the ungallant joe , who sat down , feeling that he had made somebody squirm .

" mr chairman , the ground i take is this : girls have not the strength to go to college with us .

they couldn't row a race , go on a lark , or take care of themselves , as we do .

" i have tried them , and they can't stand anything .

they scream if you tell them there is a mouse in the room , and run if they see a big dog .

i just put a cockroach in molly 's desk one day , and when she opened it she jumped as if she was shot . "

" it seems to me we have hardly considered the matter enough to be able to say much .

but i think that school would be awfully dry and dismal without ahem ! any young ladies to make it nice .

and who can do this so wisely and well as mothers , if they only will ?

" my honored friend has spoken so well that i have little to add .

i agree with him , and if you want an example of what girls can do , why , look at jill .

she 's young , i know , but a first-rate scholar for her age .

as for pluck , she is as brave as a boy , and almost as smart at running , rowing , and so on .

of course , she can't play ball no girl can ; their arms are not made right to throw but she can catch remarkably well .

i 'll say that for her .

i 'm willing , and will do what i can to help other fellows ' sisters as i 'd like to have them help mine .

no one ever knew whom he would choose to personate , for he never spoke in his own character .

" oh , running stream of sparkling joy , to be a glorious human boy ! "

gazing at gus , who was convulsed with suppressed merriment , he thundered forth :

you , sir , are a model of a man fresh from natur 's mould .

rough you may be ; so air our barrs .

wild you may be ; so air our buffalers .

let me have him here ! " smiting the table , and causing the inkstand to skip " here , upon this sacred altar !

here , upon the ancestral ashes cemented with the glorious blood poured out like water on the plains of chickabiddy lick .

a knock at the door produced a lull , and in came a maid with apples .

chapter x . the dramatic club

" faut jouer le mirliton , faut jouer le mirlitir , faut jouer le mirliter , mir li ton . "

" that 's right !

sing away , and we 'll play you are an indian captive being tormented by your enemies , and too proud to complain .

i 'll watch the clock , and the minute time is up i 'll rush in and rescue you . "

" my poor jean had a fine voice , and always hoped the child would take after him .

so the hour that began with tears ended with music and laughter , and a new pleasure to think of for the future .

it 's a little saint , she is .

may her bed above be aisy ! "

the girls sympathized very heartily with her new trial , and brought all manner of gifts to cheer her captivity .

" she is so still , i guess she is asleep , " thought jack , peeping round the corner .

doctor did not want me to go , but said i might because i teased .

i 'd rather keep still a week longer .

hadn't i better ? "

i always want you at home , but i don't wonder you are rather tired of it after this long confinement . "

" well , i guess i may as well , and get quite firm on my legs before i start .

another week or so will bring me up if i study hard , so i shall not lose my time .

i 'll tackle my latin as soon as it 's ready , mother . "

it proved a wise decision , for the last part of january was so stormy jack could not have gone half the time .

" i shall not have time to miss him now , for we are to be very busy getting ready for the twenty-second .

when the girls arrived , that evening , they found mrs chairwoman surrounded by a strew of theatrical properties , enjoying herself very much .

that would be sweet , and just what princesses really wear , " advised jill , who was stringing a quantity of old roman pearls .

" we all want to wear the nice things , so let us draw lots .

" the prince is light , so the princess must be darkish .

we ought to choose the girl who will look best , as it is a picture .

" you 'd better draw lots , and then there will be no fuss .

all agreed to let it be so , and when the bits were ready drew in turn .

this time fate was evidently on merry 's side , and no one grumbled when she showed the longest paper .

" you can use your own dress .

" i just wish miss bat was here to give you girls a good shaking .

" don't quarrel about me .

but i 've thought of a splendid one ! "

" who ? " asked the rest , staring at one another , much surprised by this sudden announcement .

" hush !

speak low , or you will spoil it all .

look in the bird room , and tell me if that isn't a prettier princess than i could make ? "

perhaps she will never walk again , so we ought to be very good to her , poor dear . "

" it will be lovely ; let us go and tell her ! "

" who is it ? " asked jill , languidly , opening her eyes without the least suspicion of the truth .

then they all took hands and danced round the couch , singing , as they laughed at her astonishment , " there she is !

there she is !

princess jill as fine as you please !

" do you really mean it ?

but can i ?

is it fair ?

how sweet of you !

" oh , you dear , kind things , to think of me and give me all your best clothes !

i never shall forget it , and i 'll do anything for you .

yes !

i 'll write and ask mrs piper to lend us her ermine cloak for the king .

see if i don't ! "

" oh , jack , i 'm to act !

wasn't it dear of the girls to choose me ?

don't they look lovely ?

" i guess i am !

you are a set of trumps , and we 'll give you a first-class spread after the play to pay for it .

won't we , fellows ? " answered jack , much gratified , and feeling that now he could act his own part capitally .

" we will .

it was a handsome thing to do , and we think well of you for it .

hey , gus ? " and frank nodded approvingly at all , though he looked only at annette .

" girls are pretty nice things , aren't they ?

kind of ' em to take jill in .

" susy looks as gay as a feather-duster .

i like her .

she never snubs a fellow , " said joe , much impressed with the splendor of the court ladies .

chapter xi .

" down brakes "

steam-engines had been his idols for years , and they alone could lure him from the path of virtue .

so things went on in a leisurely manner , which gave frank many opportunities of pursuing his favorite pastime .

one afternoon they found no . @number@ on the side-track , puffing away as if enjoying a quiet smoke before starting .

" give me leave to try ?

" all right ; i 'll just roll her up to the switch and back again .

" steady , old fellow , or you 'll come to grief .

here , don't open that ! " shouted gus , for just at that moment joe appeared at the switch , looking ready for mischief .

" by george , he has !

stop her !

back her !

" now you 've done it !

" yes , i am , " answered frank , with the grim look he always wore when his strong will got the upper hand .

" bill will give it to us , any way , so we may as well have our fun out .

" go ahead .

" not bad .

they are yelling like mad after us .

" let them yell .

i started to go to the curve , and i 'll do it if it costs me a hundred dollars .

no danger ; there 's no train under twenty minutes , i tell you , " and frank pulled out his watch .

" it 's the factory train ! " cried gus , in a husky tone , as he sprang to his feet .

for an instant , the boys stood as if paralyzed .

" come down to the boat-house and rest a minute . "

" now , don't you worry , old man .

i 'll pay the damages , for it was my fault .

joe will dodge , but i won't , so make your mind easy .

" i hope mother won't hear of it till i tell her quietly myself .

" i thought we were done for when we saw that train .

guess we should have been if you had not had your wits about you .

" shouldn't wonder if it was both .

running off with an engine is no joke , you know . "

a loud ring at the bell brought mrs pecq , who was guarding the house , while mrs minot entertained a parlor full of company .

" frank 's run off with no . @number@ and he 'll be killed sure .

thought i 'd come up and tell you , " stammered joe , all out of breath and looking wild .

" tell me all about it , and don't shout .

what 's come to the boy ? " she demanded , in a tone that reduced joe to a whisper at once .

" go right back and see what has happened to him , then come and tell me quietly .

i 'll wait for you here .

i wouldn't have his mother startled for the world , " said the good soul , when she knew all .

" oh , i dar'sn't !

" then take yourself off home and hold your tongue .

i 'll watch the door , for i won't have any more ridiculous boys tearing in to disturb my lady . "

what is it , mr frank ? " she asked eagerly , seeing that something was amiss .

he told her in a few words , and she was much relieved to find that no harm had been done .

" i don't know , dear , but i shall go over to see mr burton right after tea .

he will tell us what to do and what to expect .

gus must not suffer for your fault . "

here jack came hurrying in , having heard the news , and refused to believe it from any lips but frank 's .

" his runaway beats mine all hollow , and now he can't crow over me !

won't that be a comfort ?

the good boy has got into a scrape .

hooray ! "

what would happen to joe , he could not tell , but he thought a good whipping ought to be added to his share .

then annette made peace between them , and the approach of the twenty-second gave the wags something else to think of .

chapter xii .

the twenty-second of february

the bird room was the theatre , being very large , with four doors conveniently placed .

mrs minot permitted the house to be turned topsy-turvy , and mrs pecq flew about , lending a hand everywhere .

jill was costumer , with help from miss delano , who did not care for balls , and kindly took charge of the girls .

jack printed tickets , programmes , and placards of the most imposing sort , and the work went gayly on till all was ready .

when the evening came , the bird room presented a fine appearance .

rows of chairs , filled with mammas and little people , occupied the rest of the space .

the hall and frank 's room were full of amused papas , uncles , and old gentlemen whose patriotism brought them out in spite of rheumatism .

" ahem !

" can it have been my son ? "

he evidently thought it was , for he called , in tones of thunder ,

" george !

george washington , come hither this moment ! "

" my son , do not deceive me .

but if you lie about it you disgrace the name of washington forever . "

" papa , i tannot tell a lie .

i did tut it with my little hanchet . "

" noble boy come to my arms !

shouts of laughter greeted this mishap , but george washington never stirred .

" quite exciting , wasn't it ?

didn't know gus had so much presence of mind , " said mr burton , well pleased with his boy .

the band played " auld lang syne , " as a gentle hint that our fore-mothers should be remembered as well as the fore-fathers .

in the next scene it did come , and " washington at trenton " was prettily done .

couldn't help it , you know , it was so pretty and inspiring .

the band played " home , " and every one agreed that it was " sweet ! "

" no ; they gave that up , for my boy wouldn't wear a night-gown in public .

" that is splendid ! "

" as like to the original as flesh can be to bronze . "

" how still he stands ! "

" he 'll fight when the time comes , and die hard , won't he ? "

" hush !

you make the statue blush ! "

frank was so angry , it was very difficult to keep him on his perch for the last scene of all .

he submitted , however , rather than spoil the grand finale , hoping that its beauty would efface that ill-timed pleasantry from the public mind .

so , when the agreeable clamor of hands and voices called for a repetition , the minute man reappeared , grimmer than before .

" ' america ! '

we must have ' america ! '

molly got the laugh this time , for she could not resist giving poor boo the cuff which had been hanging over him so long .

" simple simon " followed the pie-man , gloating over his wares with the drollest antics .

" bobby shafto 's " yellow hair shone finely as he led in the maid whom he came back from sea to marry .

but tobias , molly 's black cat , covered himself with glory by the spirit with which he acted his part in ,

" sing , sing , what shall i sing ?

the cat 's run away with the pudding-bag string . "

such a funny medley as it was , for there went fat " king cole " with the most ragged of the beggar-maids .

" mistress mary , " in her pretty blue dress , tripped along with " simple simon " staring about him like a blockhead .

the fine lady left her horse to dance with " bobby shafto " till every bell on her slippers tinkled its tongue out .

" bo-peep " and a jolly fiddler skipped gayly up and down .

" miss muffet " took the big spider for her partner , and made his many legs fly about in the wildest way .

all felt the need of refreshment after their labors , and swept over the table like a flight of locusts , leaving devastation behind .

chapter xiii .

jack has a mystery

" what is the matter ?

" no ; but i 'm bothered .

" two seventy-five .

no , thank you , i won't borrow . "

" what is it for ? "

" can't tell . "

" why , i thought you told me everything . "

" sorry , but i can't this time .

don't you worry ; i shall think of something . "

" couldn't your mother help ? "

" don't wish to ask her . "

" why ! can't she know ? "

" nobody can . "

" how queer !

is it a scrape , jack ? " asked jill , looking as curious as a magpie .

" it is likely to be , if i can't get out of it this week , somehow . "

" well , i don't see how i can help if i 'm not to know anything ; " and jill seemed rather hurt .

" you can just stop asking questions , and tell me how a fellow can earn some money .

that would help .

" oh , do you mean to use that ? "

" dear me ; it must be something very serious . "

" is there any wood to saw ? " she asked presently , being very anxious to help .

" all done . "

" paths to shovel ? "

" no snow . "

" lawn to rake , then ? "

" not time for that yet . "

" catalogue of books ? "

" frank got that job . "

" copy those letters for your mother ? "

" take me too long .

must have my money friday , if possible . "

" i don't see what we can do , then .

it is too early or too late for everything , and you won't borrow . "

" not of you .

no , nor of any one else , if i can possibly help it .

i 've promised to do this myself , and i will ; " and jack wagged his head resolutely .

" couldn't you do something with the printing-press ?

do me some cards , and then , perhaps , the other girls will want some , " said jill , as a forlorn hope .

" just the thing !

what a goose i was not to think of it .

i 'll rig the old machine up at once . "

" give me the types ; i 'll sort them and set up my name , so you can begin as soon as you are ready .

you know what a help i was when we did the programmes .

a dozen neat cards were soon printed , and jill insisted on paying six cents for them , as earning was not borrowing .

" oh , some notion .

he 's a queer chap ; but i guess it isn't much of a scrape , or i should know it .

he 's so good-natured he 's always promising to do things for people , and has too much pluck to give up when he finds he can't .

jill helped all she could , and cheered his labors with her encouragement , remembering how he stayed at home for her .

" i want to tell you , dreadfully ; but i can't , because i 've promised . "

" what , never ? "

" never ! " and jack looked as firm as a rock .

" then i shall find out , for i haven't promised . "

" you can't . "

" see if i don't ! "

" you are sharp , but you won't guess this .

it 's a tremendous secret , and nobody will tell it . "

" you 'll tell it yourself .

you always do . "

" i won't tell this .

it would be mean . "

" don't try ; please don't !

it wouldn't be right , and you don't want to make me do a dishonorable thing for your sake , i know . "

" merry 's brother wants some cards .

he liked hers so much he wishes to make his lady-love a present .

here 's the name ; " and jill held up the order from harry grant , who was to be married in the autumn .

" must wait till next week .

" what made you take such a long walk ?

you look as tired as if you 'd been ten miles , " said jill , hoping to discover the length of the trip .

" had to .

then , with a great yawn , he stretched himself out to bask in the blaze , pillowing his head on his arms .

presently jack rolled over and began to mutter in his sleep , as he often did when too weary for sound slumber .

jill paid no attention till he uttered a name which made her prick up her ears and listen to the broken sentences which followed .

only a few words , but she dropped her work , saying to herself ,

" i do believe he is talking about the secret .

now i shall find out , and he will tell me himself , as i said he would . "

the slam of the front door woke jack , and he pulled himself up , declaring that he believed he had been having a nap .

" floor is too hard for tired bones .

guess i 'll go to bed and get rested up for monday .

i am sorry to say that the time has come , and the offender is a boy whom i trusted entirely .

it grieves me to do this , but i must keep my promise , and hope the example will have a good effect . "

" he 's the chap .

won't he catch it ? " whispered gus to frank , for both owed him a grudge .

i 'm told you went to the shop on friday .

is it true ? " asked mr acton very gently , for he liked jack and seldom had to correct him in any way .

" to buy something ? "

" no , sir . "

" to meet someone ? "

" yes , sir . "

" was it jerry shannon ? "

" i am told it was ; also that you were seen to go into the saloon with him .

" yes , sir . "

" did you play ? "

" no , sir .

i can't . "

" drink beer ? "

" i was sure of that .

then what took you there , my boy ? "

the question was so kindly put that jack forgot himself an instant , and blurted out ,

" i only went to pay him some money , sir . "

" ah , how much ? "

" two seventy-five , " muttered jack , as red as a cherry at not being able to keep a secret better .

" too much for a lad like you to owe such a fellow as jerry .

how came it ? "

and mr acton looked disturbed .

" does any one beside jerry know of this ? "

" one other fellow , " after a pause .

" think it over till to-morrow , and perhaps you will change your mind .

" it isn't as bad as it looks , sir , but i can't say any more .

at tea-time both boys were very silent , one looking grim , the other excited .

frank stared sternly at his brother across the table , and no amount of marmalade sweetened or softened that reproachful look .

jack defiantly crunched his toast , with occasional slashes at the butter , as if he must vent the pent-up emotions which half distracted him .

but this one did not , and when both refused cake , this sure sign of unusual perturbation made her anxious to know the cause .

" he will .

make jack own up , whether he can or not .

little donkey ! " stormed frank , who hated rowdies and could not forgive his brother for being seen with one .

when he came , it was evident that he had found it harder to refuse his mother than all the rest .

but she trusted him in spite of appearances , and that was such a comfort !

it was well he had something to cheer him up at home , for he got little peace at school .

but the thing that tried him most was the knowledge that his report would not be what it usually was .

now here was a dreadful downfall , tardy marks , bad company , broken rules , and something too wrong to tell , apparently .

chapter xiv .

and jill finds it out

" ed will be here saturday night and may be he will find out , for jack tells him everything .

" i let him alone , but i see that he isn't badgered too much .

that 's all i can do .

" no , he 's off for the summer .

got a place somewhere .

hope he 'll stay there and let bob alone . "

" where is bob now ?

" oh , he went to captain skinner 's the first of march , chores round , and goes to school up there .

so he 's all right , if he only behaves . "

" it 's four miles to hill district , but the captain lives this side of the school-house .

about three from here , i should say . "

" depends on how much of a walkist he is . "

" suppose he was lame and it was sloshy , and he made a call and came back .

how long would that take ? " asked jill impatiently .

" well , in that case , i should say two or three hours .

" jack couldn't do it in less , could he ? "

" he used to run up that hilly road for a breather , and think nothing of it .

" what are you laughing at ? "

" can't tell . "

" why do you want to know about hill district ?

are you going there ? "

" wish i could !

i 'd soon have it out of him . "

" who ? "

" never mind .

please push up my table .

" go away till i 'm done .

" robert walker .

" dear sir , i want to ask if jack minot came to see you last friday afternoon .

he got into trouble being seen with jerry shannon .

he paid him some money .

jack won't tell , and mr acton talked to him about it before all the school .

we feel bad , because we think jack did not do wrong .

i don't know as you have anything to do with it , but i thought i 'd ask .

please answer quick .

respectfully yours ,

" jane pecq "

" there !

when his eye fell on the address , he laughed , and said in a teasing way ,

" are you and bob such good friends that you correspond ?

what will jack say ? "

" don't know , and don't care !

be good , now , and let's have a little secret as well as other folks .

i 'll tell you all about it when he answers , " said jill in her most coaxing tone .

" suppose he doesn't ? "

" then i shall send you up to see him .

i must know something , and i want to do it myself , if i can . "

" look here ; what are you after ?

i really do believe it may be , and i 'm going to find out . "

" come here and i 'll tell you . "

holding him by one button , she whispered something in his ear that made him exclaim , with a look at the rug ,

" no ! did he ?

i declare i shouldn't wonder !

it would be just like the dear old blunder-head . "

" you are as bright as a button .

f.m . "

" jack did come up friday .

sorry he got into a mess .

it was real kind of him , and i shall pay him back soon .

jack paid jerry for me and i made him promise not to tell .

jerry said he 'd come here and make a row if i didn't cash up .

i was afraid i 'd lose the place if he did , for the capt. is awful strict .

if jack don't tell now , i will .

i ain't mean .

glad you wrote .

" r.o.w . "

" hurrah ! " cried jill , waving the letter over her head in great triumph .

" my good , generous boy !

i knew he was right all the time ! " while frank worked his hand up and down like a pump-handle , exclaiming heartily ,

" you 're a trump , sir , and i 'm proud of you ! "

jill meantime calling out , in wild delight ,

" i told you so !

i told you so !

i did find out ; ha , ha , i did ! "

" come , i say !

what 's the matter ?

i 'm all right .

" hullo ! " said jack , when he got the letter into his own hand and read it .

" now who put bob up to this ?

" you did ; " and jill 's face twinkled with naughty satisfaction , for this was the best fun of all .

" i didn't !

when ?

where ?

it 's a joke ! "

" you did , " cried jill , pointing to the rug .

here jill paused , all out of breath , and frank said , with an approving pat on the head ,

" it won't do to have such a sharp young person round if we are going to have secrets .

you 'd make a good detective , miss . "

" now , please , don't make a fuss about it ; that would be most as bad as having every one down on me .

" i 'll be discreet , dear , but you owe it to yourself , as well as bob , to have the truth known .

both have behaved well , and no harm will come to him , i am sure .

i 'll see to that myself , " said mrs minot , in a tone that set jack 's mind at rest on that point .

" oh , it wasn't much .

" i never saw such a fellow for keeping a promise !

you stick to it through thick and thin , no matter how silly or hard it is .

i call that rather overdoing the matter ; " and frank looked as if he thought moderation even in virtue a good thing .

" and i call it a fine sample of entire obedience .

he obeyed orders , and that is what we all must do , without always seeing why , or daring to use our own judgment .

" like casabianca ! " cried jill , much impressed , for obedience was her hardest trial .

" i think he was a fool to burn up , " said frank , bound not to give in .

" i don't .

" you admire ' the charge of the light brigade , ' and glow all over as you thunder it out .

yet they went gallantly to their death rather than disobey orders .

don't be laughed out of it , my son , for faithfulness in little things fits one for heroism when the great trials come .

one 's conscience can hardly be too tender when honor and honesty are concerned . "

" you are right , mother , and i am wrong .

i beg your pardon , jack , and you sha'n't get ahead of me next time . "

" please tell on , jack .

this is very nice , but i do want to know all about the other , " said jill , after a short pause .

" let me see .

he wouldn't get any wages for some time .

the captain keeps him short on purpose , i guess , and won't let him come down town except on sundays .

he didn't want any one to know about it , for fear he 'd lose his place .

so i promised i wouldn't tell .

so he went home pretty jolly , and i scratched ' round for the money .

got it , too , and wasn't i glad ? "

jack paused to rub his hands , and frank said , with more than usual respect ,

" couldn't you get hold of jerry in any other place , and out of school time ?

that did the mischief , thanks to joe .

i thrashed him , jill did i mention it ? "

" i couldn't get all my money till friday morning , and i knew jerry was off at night .

i looked for him before school , and at noon , but couldn't find him , so afternoon recess was my last chance .

he 's off , so my mind is easy , and bob will be so grateful i can keep him steady , perhaps .

that will be worth two seventy-five , i think , " said jack heartily .

" you should have come to me , " began frank .

" to me , then , " said his mother .

" it would have saved so much trouble . "

i don't mind the fuss now , and bob is as kind as he can be .

wanted to give me his big knife , but i wouldn't take it .

" that is what pulled me through , i suppose .

i used to think if i had done anything wrong , that i couldn't stand the snubbing a day .

i should have told right off , and had it over .

" that will make you happier than anything else , won't it ? " asked jill , eager to have him rewarded after his trials .

" there 's one thing i like better , though i 'd be very sorry to lose my report .

chapter xv .

saint lucy

then he asked for the report which jack had bravely received the day before and put away without showing to anybody .

" i overlook that as i should your breaking into my house if you saw it was on fire .

you ran to save a friend , and i wish i could tell those fellows why you were there .

it would do them good .

" i hope to have something in a day or two that will delight her very much .

" that will be jolly .

you are welcome to your secret , mamma .

i 've had enough of them for one while ; " and jack shrugged his broad shoulders as if a burden had been taken off .

in the evening ed came , and jack was quite satisfied when he saw how pleased his friend was at what he had done .

" i wished to be really useful ; not just to talk about it and do nothing .

i don't amount to much . "

" yes , you do ! and if any one says you don't i 'll shake him .

" i don't mean that ! " said jack indignantly .

" i suppose that's it .

sunday evening mrs minot sat by the fire , planning how she should tell some good news she had been saving up all day .

your mother showed me that , and i think it is very pretty .

i call it a ' fairy , ' but it is really where the seeds are hidden and the sweet smell comes from . "

" did you speak , ' m ? " she asked , smiling back again , without in the least knowing why .

" no , dear .

" tell it , mamma .

" we don't have fairy tales on sunday , you know , " began jill regretfully .

frank retired to the easy-chair , that he might sleep if the tale should prove too childish for him .

" once upon a time there was a queen who had two princes . "

" wasn't there a princess ? " asked jack , interested at once .

" like snowdrop 's mother , " whispered jill .

the boys carried her home to the palace , and the queen was glad to have her .

she had fallen and hurt herself , so she lay in bed week after week , with her mother to take care of her "

" where was your saint lucy ?

" she is coming .

" this she used to sing a great deal after a while , never dreaming that patience was an angel who could hear and obey .

but it was so ; and one night , when the girl had lulled herself to sleep with that song , the angel came .

nobody saw the lovely spirit with tender eyes , and a voice that was like balm .

" that was the miracle , and patience can work far greater ones if you will let her . "

" and the girl 's name was lucy ? "

" there is more . "

" then the story isn't done ? " cried jack .

" oh dear , no ; the most interesting things are to come , if you can wait for them . "

" yes , i see , this is the moral part .

" the elder prince was very fond of driving dragons , for the people of that country used these fiery monsters as horses . "

" he went about fighting other people 's battles , helping the poor , and trying to do good .

as when he gave away his best coat to a beggar boy , instead of the old one which he intended to give . "

" i say , that isn't fair , mother !

" yes , you did , my dear ; and it was not an easy thing for my dandiprat to do .

now listen , and i 'll tell you how they both learned to be wiser .

" thank you , mother ; i 'll remember my part of the moral .

" now tell about the girl .

" that is the best of all , but it seems as if i never should get to it .

" i 'd like to see them saying anything else , " said frank , while jack sat up to demand fiercely ,

" who talks about taking jill away ? "

" yes . "

" it 's too lovely to be true . "

" still more ? "

" the very best of all .

" that will be regularly splendid !

won't that be good ? " asked mrs minot , hoping her story had not been too interesting .

" i 'm not crying , " she said with a laugh which was fuller of blithe music than any song she sung .

" but it was so splendid , it sort of took my breath away for a minute .

now i see why the doctor made me stand up , and told me to get my baskets ready to go a-maying .

" no , dear , not so soon as that .

it will be months , probably , before you can walk and run , as you used to ; but they will soon pass .

" i can wait .

" you have done quite as much for us ; so we are even .

" can i do all that ?

i didn't know i was of any use .

" no real trying is ever in vain .

it is like the spring rain , and flowers are sure to follow in good time .

" am i really the least bit like that good lucinda ?

i tried to be , but i didn't think i was , " asked jill softly .

" you are very like her in all ways but one .

she did not get well , and you will . "

chapter xvi .

up at merry 's

" now fly round , child , and get your sweeping done up smart and early . "

" yes , mother . "

" i shall want you to help me about the baking , by and by . "

" yes , mother . "

" roxy is cleaning the cellar-closets , so you 'll have to get the vegetables ready for dinner .

father wants a boiled dish , and i shall be so busy i can't see to it . "

" yes , mother . "

something made the old nursery hymn come into merry 's head , and humming to herself ,

" in works of labor or of skill i would be busy too , "

so the great logs were kindled , and the flames went dancing up the chimney as if glad to be set free from their prison .

it changed the whole room like magic , and no one could resist the desire to enjoy its cheery comfort .

tom brushed his hair and washed his hands nicely before he came to table .

dick tried to lower his boisterous laughter , and harry never smoked in the sitting-room .

mrs grant was flying about the kitchen , getting the loaves of brown and white bread ready for the big oven .

" you are a handy child and a credit to your bringing up , though i do say it .

those are as pretty pies as i 'd wish to eat , if they bake well , and there 's no reason why they shouldn't . "

" may i make some tarts or rabbits of these bits ?

" no , dear ; there 's no time for knick-knacks to-day .

the beets ought to be on this minute .

run and get ' em , and be sure you scrape the carrots well . "

" if you 've done all your own mending , there 's a heap of socks to be looked over .

then i 'll show you about darning the tablecloths .

as she braided up her hair , her eye fell upon the reflection of her own face in the glass .

" you needn't look so cross and ugly just because you can't have what you want .

" one more job , if you are not too tired for it .

" i have , and was just coming up to tell you , for i was sure you would be glad .

" i may go abroad in the autumn . "

" oh , how lovely ! "

" isn't it ?

david german is going to spend a year in rome , to finish a statue , and wants me to go along .

" yes ; and i 've got to earn it .

but i can i know i can , for i 've saved some , and i shall work like ten beavers all summer .

" i wish i had it to give you .

it must be so splendid to feel that you can do great things if you only have the chance .

and to travel , and see all the lovely pictures and statues , and people and places in italy .

" i am so happy that i 'm afraid it never will happen .

if i do go , i 'll write and tell you all about the fine sights , and how i get on .

" indeed i should !

" why , yes ; i 'd love to , only i shall not have anything interesting to say .

" write about yourself , and all the rest of the people i know .

grandma will be gone , and i shall want to hear how you get on . "

" you bear your worries so well that nobody knows you have them .

i ought not to complain , and i won't , for i do have all i need .

i don't mind as long as grandma is all right .

she is away to-night , or i should not be here , " he added , as if some excuse was necessary .

" being here , come in and spend the evening .

the boys will like to hear the news , and so will father .

do , now . "

merry touched up the table , and put a little vase of flowers in the middle to redeem the vulgarity of doughnuts .

" i 'm afraid the time is coming , mother . "

" no danger as long as she don't know it , father . "

ralph took up his hat to go , saying as he looked at the shade on the tall student lamp ,

" what a good light that gives !

i can see it as i go home every night , and it burns up here like a beacon .

i always look for it , and it hardly ever fails to be burning .

sort of cheers up the way , you know , when i 'm tired or low in my mind . "

" then i 'm very glad i got it .

i liked the shape , but the boys laughed at it as they did at my bulrushes in a ginger-jar over there .

" isn't that lovely ?

i tried to draw it the shape was so graceful i wanted to keep it .

but i couldn't .

" i can keep it for you .

it would look well in plaster .

may i ? " asked ralph .

" thank you , i should like that very much .

chapter xvii .

down at molly 's

granny , tobias , mortification , and molasses were the elders .

granny , a gray old puss , was the mother and grandmother of all the rest .

molasses was a yellow cat , the mamma of four of the kits , the fifth being granny 's latest darling .

the giddy kits paid no attention , as they did not know what house-cleaning meant , happy little dears !

" i can't imagine what put it into miss bat 's head .

i never said a word , and gave up groaning over the clutter , as i couldn't mend it .

" shut my eyes to it , you mean ?

" you sharp little thing !

i know my hair is not neat now , for i 've been chasing boo round the garden to wash him for school .

then miss bat threw the parlor carpet out of the window , and i was so surprised i had to run and tell you .

now , what had we better do about it ? "

" very well , don't scramble , " said molly , getting up to feed her pets .

she could not imagine what had started the old lady .

" you 've no idee how improved molly is .

" being over to mis minot 's so much has been good for her , and up to mis grant 's .

girls catch neat ways as quick as they do untidy ones , and them wild little tykes often turn out smart women . "

" sister dawes has done well by them children , and i hope mr bemis sees it .

he ought to give her something comfortable to live on when she can't do for him any longer .

he can well afford it . "

" i haven't a doubt he will .

he 's a lavish man when he starts to do a thing , but dreadful unobserving , else he 'd have seen to matters long ago .

them children was town-talk last fall , and i used to feel as if it was my bounden duty to speak to miss dawes .

but i never did , fearing i might speak too plain , and hurt her feelings . "

it is so pleasant to be praised after you 've been trying hard . "

as he could not see the patches himself , he fancied them invisible , and came home much afflicted by the jeers of his friends .

" sad loss to them , poor things !

but miss bat seems to have done well by them .

molly is much improved , and the boy looks finely .

when she came back she sat down to her work , fancying her father still asleep .

her father was wide awake and looking at her , thinking , as he did so ,

" really the old lady has worked well to change my tomboy into that nice little girl : i wonder how she did it . "

" shirts for boo , sir .

" isn't that a new notion ?

" no , sir ; only yours .

i do mine and boo 's .

" i 'd love to , and i guess i could .

" there 's something to start with ; " and he threw her a pair , with nearly every finger ripped .

" i was thinking about my summer clothes .

" i thought miss bat did that for you . "

" she always has , but she gets ugly , cheap things that i don't like .

i think i am old enough to choose myself , if there is someone to tell me about prices and the goodness of the stuff .

merry does ; and she is only a few months older than i am . "

" how old are you , child ? " asked her father , feeling as if he had lost his reckoning .

" fifteen in august ; " and molly looked very proud of the fact .

" so you are !

bless my heart , how the time goes !

well , get what you please ; if i 'm to have a young lady here , i 'd like to have her prettily dressed .

it won't offend miss bat , will it ? "

molly 's eyes sparkled , but she gave a little shrug as she answered , " she won't care .

she never troubles herself about me if i let her alone .

" hey ? what ?

not trouble herself ?

if she doesn't , who does ? " and mr bemis sat up as if this discovery was more surprising than the other .

" i take care of myself and boo , and she looks after you .

the house goes any way . "

" i should think so !

i nearly broke my neck over the parlor sofa in the hall to-night .

what is it there for ? "

molly laughed .

i thought you might have told her to . "

" i 've said nothing .

don't like house-cleaning well enough to suggest it .

i did think the hall was rather dirty when i dropped my coat and took it up covered with lint .

is she going to upset the whole place ? " asked mr bemis , looking alarmed at the prospect .

" why don't you dust round a little , then ?

no time to spare from the books and play ? "

" i tried , father , but miss bat didn't like it , and it was too hard for me alone .

" it is high time someone took hold , if matters are left as you say .

now i find you are the one to be thanked , and it is a very pleasant surprise to me . "

" give her the present , please ; i 'm satisfied , if you like what i 've done .

it isn't much , and i didn't know as you would ever observe any difference .

" you certainly are , my dear .

i 'll wait till the house-cleaning is over , and then , if we are all alive , i 'll see about miss bat 's reward .

" oh , thank you , sir !

that will be splendid .

" seems to me you look very well as you are .

" this ?

why , father , i 've worn it all winter , and it 's frightfully ugly , and almost in rags .

" too bad !

miss bat always talks about economy , and has no more taste than a caterpillar . "

molly meant to say " cat , " but remembering her pets , spared them the insult .

" i think i can afford to dress my girl as well as grant does his .

get a new hat and coat , child , and any little notions you fancy .

" those are the keys to your mother 's things .

i always meant you to have them , when you were old enough to use or care for them .

i think you 'll fancy this better than any other present , for you are a good child , and very like her . "

he kissed her , then said , as he began to stir his papers about , " i must write some letters .

run off to bed , child .

good-night , my dear , good-night . "

chapter xviii .

may baskets

" good day , little sister , come out and play with us , for winter is over and spring is here . "

" i wish i could ! " thought jill , as the soft wind kissed a tinge of color into her pale cheeks .

" they all go there to sleep and eat , and it has room for every one .

it is green when other trees die , the wind can't break it , and the snow only makes it look prettier .

it sings to me , and nods as if it knew i loved it . "

" for my lady , of course .

" i fancied it would be for master jack , " said her mother , wishing the excursion to be a cheerful one .

" i 've another for him , but she must have the prettiest .

she will remember it , for i 've been turning and tending it ever so long , to make it bloom to-day .

" indeed it is ; and you are right to give your best to her .

come away now , you must not stand any longer .

" yes , thank heaven !

" fair to middling .

" i did better .

" oh , boys , is that all ? "

" what shall we do ? "

" it isn't our fault : it is the late spring .

we can't make flowers , can we ? " asked frank , in a tone of calm resignation .

" couldn't you buy some , then ? " said molly , smoothing her crumpled morning-glories , with a sigh .

" who ever heard of a fellow having any money left the last day of the month ? " demanded gus , severely .

" or girls either .

i spent all mine in ribbon and paper for my baskets , and now they are of no use .

it 's a shame ! " lamented jill , while merry began to thin out her full baskets to fill the empty ones .

" hold on ! " cried frank , relenting .

" now , jack , make their minds easy before they begin to weep and wail . "

" left the box outside .

" tell away , " said frank , modestly passing the story along to gus , who made short work of it .

" we rampaged all over the country , and got only that small mess of greens .

knew you 'd be disgusted , and sat down to see what we could do .

then jack piped up , and said he 'd show us a place where we could get a plenty .

' come on , ' said we , and after leading us a nice tramp , he brought us out at morse's greenhouse .

so we got a few on tick , as we had but four cents among us , and there you are .

pretty clever of the little chap , wasn't it ? "

" don't believe it ! " cried jill , hugging her own treasure jealously .

" it 's only another joke .

i won't look , " said molly , still struggling to make her cambric roses bloom again .

" i know what it is !

oh , how sweet ! " added merry , sniffing , as ed set the box before her , saying pleasantly ,

" you shall see first , because you had faith . "

" here you are , plenty for all .

real pilgrim fathers , right from plymouth .

" ed always gets ahead of us in doing the right thing at the right time .

hope you 've got some first-class baskets ready for him , " said gus , refreshing the washingtonian nose with a pink blossom or two .

" now we must fly round and fill up .

come , boys , sort out the green and hand us the flowers as we want them .

" ed must choose his baskets first .

ed chose a blue one , and merry filled it with the rosiest may-flowers , knowing that it was to hang on mabel 's door-handle .

" let us have poetry , as we can't get wild flowers .

that will be rather fine , " proposed jill , who liked jingles .

" oh , dear !

" cranium , " said frank , who was getting on bravely with " annette " and " violet . "

" that is elegant ! " and molly scribbled away in great glee , for her poems were always funny ones .

" no , i shouldn't .

this person never laughs at other persons ' mistakes , as some persons do , " replied jill , with dignity .

" now let's read them , " proposed molly , who loved to laugh even at herself .

the boys politely declined , and scrambled their notes into the chosen baskets in great haste ; but the girls were less bashful .

jill was invited to begin , and gave her little piece , with the pink hyacinth basket before her , to illustrate her poem .

" to my lady

" there are no flowers in the fields , no green leaves on the tree , no columbines , no violets , no sweet anemone .

" that 's perfectly sweet !

" to one who teaches me the sweetness and the beauty of doing faithfully and cheerfully my duty . "

" well , that 's no harm .

i 'll do it if you can spare some of these , we have so many .

it would please and surprise them so .

will we ? " asked ed , in that persuasive voice of his .

" that mercy you to others show that mercy grant to me . "

" how lovely ! and this one will never fade , but always be a pleasure hanging there .

chapter xix .

good templars

" hi there !

bell 's rung !

frank made a beginning on his own toilet , and then took a look at his brother , for the stillness was suspicious .

" i thought so !

" come , i say !

that 's not fair !

" i promised to wake you , and you believe in keeping promises , so i 'm doing my best to get you up . "

" well , you needn't pour a quart of water down a fellow 's neck , and rub his nose off , need you ?

i 'm awake , so take your old sponge and go along , " growled jack , with one eye open and a mighty gape .

" i shall have one good stretch , if i like .

who does not know the fatal charm of that stolen moment for once yield to it , and one is lost .

" hold on !

yah , how cold the water is !

" i don't care .

what a jolly day ! " and jack took a little promenade to finish the rousing process .

" you 'd better hurry up , or you won't get your chores done before breakfast .

" what on earth are you about ? "

" playing rowell .

" you little noodle , you 'd better revolve into bed before you lose your head entirely .

i never saw such a fellow for taking himself off his legs . "

" done ! " answered frank , and at it they went .

a clashing of boots followed , while jack whistled " polly hopkins , " and frank declaimed in his deepest voice ,

" arma virumque cano , trojae qui primus ab oris italiam , fato profugus , laviniaque venit litora . "

" hold hard , no . @number@ and don't forget your teeth , " answered jack , who had done his .

" ready !

i 'll trouble you for a cent , sonny ; " and frank held out his hand as he appeared equipped for the day .

" you haven't hung up your night-gown , nor aired the bed , nor opened the windows .

that 's part of the dressing ; mother said so .

" ready !

i 'll trouble you for a cent , old man ; " and jack held out his hand , with a chuckle .

" i declare i don't see what he does with it !

he really ought not to ' gobble ' so , mother , " said frank , who was eating with great deliberation and propriety .

" never you mind , old quiddle .

" that reminds me !

" never thought of it .

we must look up some bits at noon instead of playing .

dare say jill has got some : she always saves all she finds for me . "

" i have one or two good items , and can do any copying there may be .

" yes , we ought , but somehow we don't seem to get up much steam about it lately .

nearly all the children belonged to it , and the parents also , and we had fine times here twenty-five or thirty years ago . "

" oh yes , it did , my dear ; for to this day many of those children are true to their pledge .

the town is better than it was in those days , and if we each do our part faithfully , it will improve yet more .

every boy and girl who joins is one gained , perhaps , and your example is the best temperance lecture you can give .

hold fast , and don't mind if it isn't ' jolly ' : it is right , and that should be enough for us . "

jack 's face brightened as he listened , and frank said , with the steady look which made his face manly ,

" it shall be .

ed and i went up to see bob , sunday , and he said he 'd join the lodge , if they 'd have him .

i 'm going to propose him to-night . "

" we 've got him now , for no one will object , and it is just the thing for him .

" we must not forget our ' observer , ' but have a good one tonight in honor of the occasion .

there may be something here .

come home early at noon , and i 'll help you get your paper ready . "

" do you want your nose pulled ? " demanded frank , who never would stand joking on that tender point from his brother .

but the pursuer ducked under her arm and gave chase with all speed .

no romping was allowed there , so a truce was made by locking little fingers , and both sat down to get their breath .

" i am to go on the piazza , for an hour , by and by , doctor said .

" yes , indeed !

come on , princess , " answered jack , glad to see her so well and happy .

the boys made an arm-chair , and away she went , for a pleasant day downstairs .

many hands make light work , and nothing remained but a little copying , which jill promised to do before night .

so the boys had time for a game of football after school in the afternoon , which they much enjoyed .

as they sat resting on the posts , gus said ,

" can't do it , " answered frank , sadly .

" that 's a pity !

i forgot it was tuesday , and can't put it off , as i 've asked all the rest .

give up your old lodge and come along , " said gus , who had not joined yet .

" we might for once , perhaps , but i don't like to " began jack , hesitating .

" i won't .

who 's to propose bob if we don't ?

i want to go awfully ; but i wouldn't disappoint bob for a good deal , now he is willing to come . "

" nor ed , i forgot that .

no , we can't go .

we want to be good templars , and we mustn't shirk , " added jack , following his brother .

" better come .

can't put it off .

lots of fun , " called gus , disappointed at losing two of his favorite mates .

" tell the brothers and sisters that if i can serve them in any way while here , to command me .

i 'll be color-bearer , and you may drill us as much as you like .

" we 'll see about it .

chapter xx .

a sweet memory

" we are all going up to bethlehem .

we take the seashore one year and the mountains the next .

" can't ; we are off to pebbly beach the second week in july .

our invalids need sea air .

" stop that , captain !

i 'm all right ; " and jack gave himself a sounding slap on the chest , where shone the white star of the h.b.b.c .

" never shall ; i don't want any of your old colleges .

i 'm going into business as soon as i can .

ed says i may be his book-keeper , if i am ready when he starts for himself .

" much you know about it .

just as well you don't mean to try , for it would take a mighty long pull and strong pull to get you in .

business would suit you better , and you and ed would make a capital partnership .

devlin , minot , & co sounds well , hey , gus ? "

" very , but they are such good-natured chaps , they 'd never get rich .

by the way , ed came home at noon to-day sick .

i met him , and he looked regularly knocked up , " answered gus , in a sober tone .

i must go right round and see what the matter is ; " and jack jumped up , with an anxious face .

" let him alone till to-morrow .

he won't want any one fussing over him now .

" go ahead and get ready , i 'll just cut round and ask at the door .

it will seem kind , and i must know how ed is .

won't be long ; " and jack was off at his best pace .

the others were waiting impatiently when he came back with slower steps and a more anxious face .

" how is the old fellow ? " called frank from the boat , while gus stood leaning on an oar in a nautical attitude .

" pretty sick .

had the doctor .

may have a fever .

" guess he 'll be all right in a day or two ; " and gus pushed off , leaving all care behind .

" he 's worked too hard .

he 's so faithful he does more than his share , and gets tired out .

up or down ? " asked jack , as they glided out into the river .

don't we always pull to the bridge ? "

" not when the girls are going down , " laughed jack , who had recognized juliet 's scarlet boating-suit as he glanced over his shoulder .

" oh , ah !

i see !

there is a blue jacket as well as a red one , so it 's all right .

" lady queen anne , she sits in the sun , as white as a lily , as brown as a bun , "

sung jack , recovering his spirits , and wishing jill was there too .

" do you want a ducking ? " sternly demanded gus , anxious to preserve discipline .

" shouldn't mind , its so warm . "

" pity this boat won't hold four .

" i don't think it is safe to put four in there .

" wouldn't it be more ship-shape still if you put me ashore at grif 's landing ?

i can take his boat , or wait till you come back .

don't care what i do , " said jack , feeling himself sadly in the way .

jack remembered that quiet half-hour long afterward , because what followed seemed to impress it on his memory .

ed was almost as dear to him , and the thought that he was suffering destroyed jack 's pleasure for a little while .

" what are you reading , jacky ? "

the unusual caress , the very gentle tone , made jack look up , and the minute he saw frank 's face he knew the truth .

he could not do it , and presently turned his head a little to say , in a despairing tone ,

" i don't see what i shall do without him ! "

" i know it 's hard for you .

it is for all of us . "

" you 've got gus , but now i haven't anybody .

" you 've got me .

i 'll be good to you ; cry if you want to , i don't mind . "

it is often said that there should be no death or grief in children 's stories .

the boys had brought fresh boughs to make the grave a green bed for their comrade 's last sleep .

good and happy the two things we all long for and so few of us truly are .

" it was not what he did but what he was that made him so beloved .

so the tears soon dried , and the young faces looked up like flowers after rain .

" i 'm glad it was all so sweet and pleasant .

jack sat down in the low chair beside her and leaned his head against the arm of the sofa , for he was tired .

presently he said , stopping before his mother , who leaned in the easy-chair looking up at the picture of her boys ' father ,

" i should like to have just such things said about me when i die . "

" so should i , if i deserved them as ed did ! " cried jack , earnestly .

" you may if you try .

i should be proud to hear them , and if they were true , they would comfort me more than anything else .

" i never thought much about it before , but now dying doesn't seem dreadful at all only solemn and beautiful .

somehow everybody seems to love everybody else more for it , and try to be kind and good and pious .

" that 's what merry said when she and molly came in on their way home .

but molly felt dreadfully , and so did mabel .

" i don't want anything to remember him by .

i was so fond of him , i couldn't forget if i tried .

that is what faith means , and without it we are miserable .

" he believed it , and that 's why he liked that hymn so much .

i 'm glad they sung it to-day , " said frank , bringing his heavy dictionary to lay on the book where the flowers were pressing .

" oh , thank you !

could you play that tune for me ?

i didn't hear it , and i 'd love to , if you are willing , " asked jill .

" i didn't think i ever should want to play again , but i do .

will you sing it for her , mother ?

i 'm afraid i shall break down if i try alone . "

far more precious surely than the birds that fly is a father 's image to a father 's eye .

cheer thine heart , then , mortal , never faithless be , he that marks the sparrows will remember thee . "

chapter xxi .

pebbly beach

" never mind the clothes , we only want a boating-suit apiece .

" those are the necessaries and clothes the luxuries , are they ?

" wish i could .

dare say we shall want them .

here frank came in with two big books , saying calmly , " just slip these in somewhere , we shall need them . "

" they are not dics , but my encyclopedia .

we shall want to know heaps of things , and this tells about everything .

with those books , and a microscope and a telescope , you could travel round the world , and learn all you wanted to .

can't possibly get on without them , " said frank , fondly patting his favorite work .

" my patience !

what queer cattle boys are ! " exclaimed mrs pecq , while they all laughed .

" then i 'll carry them myself ; " and frank tucked one under each arm , with a determined air , which settled the matter .

" tadpoles don't live in salt water , my son , and if you mean conchology , you 'd better say so .

a very happy party set off the next day , leaving mrs pecq waving her apron on the steps .

he was absent now , and the visitors took possession of this fine play-place .

" oh , when can i go out ?

" i 'll be good , only do let me have my sailor-hat to wear , and my new suit .

" do come out , mother , it 's perfectly splendid on the beach !

i 've found a nice place for jill to sit , and it 's only a step .

lots of capital fellows here ; one has a bicycle , and is going to teach us to ride .

no end of fun up at the hotel , and every one seems glad to see us .

they sit at our table , and wally is the boy , younger than i am , but very pleasant .

bacon is the fellow in knickerbockers ; just wish you could see what stout legs he 's got !

cox is the chap for me , though : we are going fishing to-morrow .

he 's got a sweet-looking mother , and a sister for you , jill .

now , then , do come on , i 'll take the traps . "

a new world opened to her eyes as they came out upon the pebbly beach full of people enjoying their afternoon promenade .

while she sat enjoying herself , jack showed his mother the place he had found , and a very nice one it was .

just under the green bank lay an old boat propped up with some big stones .

" isn't it a good cubby-house ?

ben cox and i fixed it for jill , and she can have it for hers .

" there couldn't be a nicer place , and it is very kind of you to get it ready .

spread the shawls and settle jill , then you needn't think of us any more , but go and scramble with frank .

i see him over there with his spy-glass and some pleasant-looking boys , " said mamma , bustling about in great spirits .

but the girls had capital times together , and it did jill good to see another sort from those she knew at home .

in the morning they camped round the boat on the stones with books , gay work , and merry chatter , till bathing-time .

now that she was among the well and active , it seemed harder to be patient than when shut up and unable to stir .

it was a good lesson , and made her as meek as a lamb during the rest of her stay .

" don't try to walk or run about , my dear .

sit on the piazza if you get tired of this , and amuse yourself quietly till i come back .

" oh , don't forget the gibraltars ! " cried jill , popping her head out of the green roof .

" nor the bananas , please ! " added gerty , looking round one end .

" nor the pink and blue ribbon to tie our shell-baskets , " called mamie , nearly tumbling into the aquarium at the other end .

mrs minot laughed , and promised , and rumbled away , leaving jill to an experience which she never forgot .

off they went , and jill felt very lonely as the gay voices died away .

every one had gone somewhere , and only little harry hammond and his maid were on the beach .

" come for a sail , jill ?

take you anywhere you like , " called jack , touched by the lonely figure on the beach .

" i 'd love to go , if you will row .

mamma made me promise not to go sailing without a man to take care of me .

would it spoil your fun to have me ? " answered jill , eagerly .

" all the rest are gone to the chasm .

" we 'll row you round there .

" what do you suppose they are about ?

never saw such a lot of folks at this time .

shouldn't wonder if something had happened .

may be something we ought to know about . "

so the boys pulled round into a quiet nook , and the two elder ones scrambled up the rocks , to disappear in the crowd .

five , ten , fifteen minutes passed , and they did not return .

jack grew impatient , so did jill , and bade him run up and bring them back .

" i can't come back !

there 's nothing to hold on to !

" keep cool !

give my love to victoria !

luff and bear away when you come to halifax !

she turned her back to the sea and looked at the dear , safe land , which never had seemed so green and beautiful before .

up on the hill rustled the wood through which the happy party were wandering to the chasm .

on the rocks she still saw the crowd all busy with their own affairs , unconscious of her danger .

here and there artists were sketching in picturesque spots , and in one place an old gentleman sat fishing peacefully .

" perhaps i shall be wrecked on norman 's woe , and somebody will make poetry about me .

it would be pretty to read , but i don't want to die that way .

oh , why did i come !

why didn't i stay safe and comfortable in my own boat ? "

and there it was !

" hi ! hi !

oh , please do stop and get me !

i 'm lost , no oars , nobody to fix the sail !

" keep still !

chapter xxii .

a happy day

" oh dear !

only a week more , and then we must go back .

" yes , it will be dreadful to leave gerty and mamie and all the nice people .

but i 'm so much better i won't have to be shut up again , even if i don't go to school .

how i long to see merry and molly .

" i did want to ask molly , but your mother is so good to me i couldn't find courage to do it .

mammy told me not to ask for a thing , and i 'm sure i don't get a chance .

i feel just as if i was your truly born sister , jack . "

" now , you sit in the cubby-house , and keep quiet till the boat comes in .

then the fun will begin , and you must be fresh and ready to enjoy it .

don't run off , now , i shall want to know where to find you by and by . "

" no more running off , thank you .

" why , how much she looks like molly !

" mrs minot sent for us to spend a week .

" a week ?

how splendid !

molly was charmed with the boat , and jill very glad the box was done in season .

molly could swim like a duck , and quite covered herself with glory by diving off the pier .

jack undertook to teach boo , who was a promising pupil , being so plump that he could not sink if he tried .

" now , bacon ! "

" go it , minot ! "

" hit him up , cox ! "

" jack 's ahead ! "

" no , he isn't ! "

" here they come ! "

jack was soon rested , and , making light of his defeat , insisted on taking the girls to see the fun .

the shooting was good ; a handsome damsel got the prize of a dozen arrows , and every one clapped in the most enthusiastic manner .

" no dancing for me , but molly must have a good time .

what a good time molly did have that week !

other people were going to leave also , and therefore much picnicking , boating , and driving was crowded into the last days .

it was very pleasant , till poor boo innocently added to the excitement by poisoning a few of his neighbors with a bad lobster .

but i fordot , and i don't fink i 'll ever find such a nice big one any more . "

" it 's lucky we are going home to-morrow , or that child would be the death of himself and everybody else .

" we 've dot him ! " called the innocents , tugging up their prize with such solemn satisfaction it was impossible to help laughing .

" i always wanted to tatch a whale , and this is a baby one , i fink .

ain't he pretty ? " asked boo , displaying the immense mouth with fond pride , while his friend flapped the tail .

chapter xxiii .

cattle show

the children were not the only ones who had learned something at pebbly beach .

while the ladies worked or walked together , they naturally spoke oftenest and most earnestly about their children , and each contributed her experience .

" school begins to-morrow .

" don't you want to go ?

i long to , but don't believe i shall .

" i 've had such a jolly good time , that i hate to be shut up all day worse than ever .

don't you , frank ? " asked jack , with a vengeful slap at the arithmetic which was the torment of his life .

" well , i confess i don't hanker for school as much as i expected .

i 'd rather take a spin on the old bicycle .

our roads are so good , it is a great temptation to hire a machine , and astonish the natives .

that 's what comes of idleness .

" glad of it .

how much longer is it to be ? " asked jack , hoping for a week at least .

" two or three years for some of you . "

" but , mother , what becomes of college ? " asked frank , rather disturbed at this change of base .

" put it off for a year , and see if you are not better fitted for it then than now . "

" but i am already fitted : i 've worked like a tiger all this year , and i 'm sure i shall pass . "

" ready in one way , but not in another .

that hard work is no preparation for four years of still harder study .

i cannot have you break down , as so many boys do , or pull through at the cost of ill-health afterward .

eighteen is young enough to begin the steady grind , if you have a strong constitution to keep pace with the eager mind .

" other fellows go at my age , and i was rather pleased to be ready at sixteen , " he began .

but she added , quickly ,

" they go , but how do they come out ?

" i 'll do my best ; but i don't see what is to become of us if we don't go to school .

" so i say ! " cried jack , pleased with the new idea , for he never did love books .

" i do hate to be driven so i don't half understand , because there is no time to have things explained .

" what is to become of me , please ? " asked jill , meekly .

" you and molly are to have lessons here .

" that will be splendid !

i am not a hard mistress , and i hope you will find my school a pleasant one . "

" that 's my good girl ! " and mrs minot stroked the curly black head as if it was her own little daughter 's .

you all have got a capital start during these six weeks , so it is a good time to begin my experiment .

if it does not work well , we will go back to school and college next spring . "

" and to ride horseback .

i am going to hire old jane and get out the little phaeton , so we can all enjoy the fine weather while it lasts .

molly and i can drive jill , and you can take turns in the saddle when you are tired of ball and boating .

" won't that be gay ?

i 'll get down the saddle to-day , so we can begin right off .

lem rides , and we can go together .

" you must see that she does , for you boys are to take care of her .

our estate is not a large one , and it will be excellent work for you , my men . "

" all right !

i 'll see to jane .

i love horses , " said jack , well pleased with the prospect .

" my horse won't need much care .

" you may put me in a hen-coop , and keep me there a year , if you like .

each school showed its best pupils , and the parents looked on at the blooming flower show .

" ralph is going to send my bust .

he asked if he might , and mother said yes .

" i could send my model ; it is nearly done .

" and i could send my star bedquilt !

" i haven't got anything .

can't sew rags together ; or make baby engines , and i have no live-stock yes , i have too !

there 's old bun .

old jane not only carried them all to ride , but gave jack plenty of work keeping her premises in nice order .

" put him in the old refrigerator , he can't get out of that . "

it had been scrubbed up and painted red , cushions and plates put in , and two american flags adorned the roof .

expressing great admiration for this rare animal , grif obtained leave to display the charms of graciosa at the fair .

when the morning of @date@ arrived , the town was all astir , and the fair ground a lively scene .

our young folks were in a high state of excitement , as they rumbled away with their treasures in a hay-cart .

the bunny-house might have been a cage of tigers , so rampant were the cats at this new move .

old bun , in a small box , brooded over the insult of the refrigerator , and looked as fierce as a rabbit could .

it certainly was , and , to judge from the peals of merriment , the joke was a good one .

a train of boys followed him across the ground , lost in admiration of the animal and the cleverness of her rider .

among the stage properties of the dramatic club was the old ass 's head once used in some tableaux from " midsummer night 's dream . "

the cats were admired , but , as they were not among the animals usually exhibited , there was no prize awarded .

jack was sure his rabbit was the biggest there , and went eagerly to look for his premium .

merry gladly told the story of her ambitious friend , and went to find him , that he might secure the order .

chapter xxiv .

down the river

merry 's , though the simplest , was the daintiest of the three , being pale blue , trimmed with delicate edging , and beautifully made .

" i really believe i have got henry 's six wives into my head right at last .

two annes , three katherines , and one jane .

" ' king henry the eighth to six spouses was wedded , one died , one survived , two divorced , two beheaded , '

was all i knew about them before .

i like to make things pretty at home , and know that they all depend on me , and love me very much .

isn't that fun ? " laughed molly , in high glee , at the agreeable change .

" i like it ever so much , but i don't want to stay so all my days .

" well , i should like to be famous in some way , and have people admire me very much .

jill certainly did wear a white veil on the day she was twenty-five and called her husband jack .

" these are the last of the pleasant days , and we ought to make the most of them .

" oh , yes !

go down the river once more and have supper on the island .

" i 'm your man , if the other fellows agree .

we can't barrel these up for a while , so to-morrow will be a holiday for us .

" don't worry about those high ones , jack .

" i 'm glad that job is done !

i 've rasped every knuckle i 've got and worn out the knees of my pants .

nice little crop though , isn't it ? "

" it will be nicer if this young man does not bite every apple he touches .

hi there !

" gus will be at home to-morrow .

he always comes up early on saturday , you know .

" i 'll ask the girls on my way home , and all meet at two o'clock for a good row while it 's warm .

" you bring coffee and the big pot and some buttered crackers .

next day eleven young people met at the appointed place , basket in hand .

ralph could not come till later , for he was working now as he never worked before .

" nothing bad , or he wouldn't smile so .

" good news ! good news !

hurrah for rome , next month ! "

" yes , i 'm really going in november .

" i call that a handsome thing to do ! " said frank , warmly , for noble actions always pleased him .

" i 'm very glad , old fellow .

" shall you stay four years ? " asked merry 's soft voice , while a wistful look came into her happy eyes .

" of course i shall write to some of you , but you mustn't expect any great things for years yet .

" yes : i 've been hard at it every spare minute i could get , and have a fortnight more .

" i do feel so proud to know a real artist , and have my bust done by him .

" ed used to say that , and he had some splendid plans , but they didn't come to anything . "

" perhaps they did ; who can tell ?

" did you plant yours ? "

" yes , on the lawn , and i mean it shall come up if i can make it , " answered frank , gravely .

" what do they mean ? " whispered merry to jill , who was leaning against her knee to rest .

guess it won't be lost time ; " and frank nodded at gus , who nodded back with the slightly superior expression all freshmen wear .

" hope you won't find it so .

" i 'm sure i have everything to be grateful for .

end of the project gutenberg ebook of jack and jill , by louisa may alcott