Chapter IV. Ward No. 2.
Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, andJill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and suchlittle plays as she could invent for herself in bed. Fortunately, shehad a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grewunbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or standbrought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lieflat again. The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecqbegan to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life. She said nothing,but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face,and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischiefthe fall had done.
The telegraph was a great comfort, and the two invalids kept up a livelycorrespondence, not to say traffic in light articles, for the GreatInternational was the only aerial express in existence. But even thisamusement flagged after a time; neither had much to tell, and when thedaily health bulletins had been exchanged, messages gave out, and thebasket's travels grew more and more infrequent. Neither could read allthe time, games were soon used up, their mates were at school most ofthe day, and after a week or two the poor children began to get pale andfractious with the confinement, always so irksome to young people.
"I do believe the child will fret herself into a fever, mem, and I'mclean distraught to know what to do for her. She never used to mindtrifles, but now she frets about the oddest things, and I can't changethem. This wall-paper is well enough, but she has taken a fancy that thespots on it look like spiders, and it makes her nervous. I've no otherwarm place to put her, and no money for a new paper. Poor lass! Thereare hard times before her, I'm fearing."
Mrs. Pecq said this in a low voice to Mrs. Minot, who came in as oftenas she could, to see what her neighbor needed; for both mothers wereanxious, and sympathy drew them to one another. While one woman talked,the other looked about the little room, not wondering in the least thatJill found it hard to be contented there. It was very neat, but so plainthat there was not even a picture on the walls, nor an ornament upon themantel, except the necessary clock, lamp, and match-box. The paper _was_ugly, being a deep buff with a brown figure that did look very likespiders sprawling over it, and might well make one nervous to look atday after day.
Jill was asleep in the folding chair Dr. Whiting had sent, with amattress to make it soft. The back could be raised or lowered at will;but only a few inches had been gained as yet, and the thin hair pillowwas all she could bear. She looked very pretty as she lay, with darklashes against the feverish cheeks, lips apart, and a cloud of curlyblack locks all about the face pillowed on one arm. She seemed like abrilliant little flower in that dull place,--for the French blood in herveins gave her a color, warmth, and grace which were very charming. Hernatural love of beauty showed itself in many ways: a red ribbon hadtied up her hair, a gay but faded shawl was thrown over the bed, and thegifts sent her were arranged with care upon the table by her side amongher own few toys and treasures. There was something pathetic in thischildish attempt to beautify the poor place, and Mrs. Minot's eyes werefull as she looked at the tired woman, whose one joy and comfort laythere in such sad plight.
"My dear soul, cheer up, and we will help one another through the hardtimes," she said, with a soft hand on the rough one, and a look thatpromised much.
"Please God, we will, mem! With such good friends, I never shouldcomplain. I try not to do it, but it breaks my heart to see my littlelass spoiled for life, most like;" and Mrs. Pecq pressed the kind handwith a despondent sigh.
"We won't say, or even think, that, yet. Everything is possible to youthand health like Janey's. We must keep her happy, and time will do therest, I'm sure. Let us begin at once, and have a surprise for her whenshe wakes."
As she spoke, Mrs. Minot moved quietly about the room, pinning the pagesof several illustrated papers against the wall at the foot of the bed,and placing to the best advantage the other comforts she had brought.
"Keep up your heart, neighbor. I have an idea in my head which I thinkwill help us all, if I can carry it out," she said, cheerily, as shewent, leaving Mrs. Pecq to sew on Jack's new night-gowns, with swiftfingers, and the grateful wish that she might work for these goodfriends forever.
As if the whispering and rustling had disturbed her, Jill soon began tostir, and slowly opened the eyes which had closed so wearily on thedull December afternoon. The bare wall with its brown spiders no longerconfronted her, but the colored print of a little girl dancing to thetune her father was playing on a guitar, while a stately lady, withsatin dress, ruff, and powder, stood looking on, well pleased. Thequaint figure, in its belaced frock, quilted petticoat, and red-heeledshoes, seemed to come tripping toward her in such a life-like way,that she almost saw the curls blow back, heard the rustle of the richbrocade, and caught the sparkle of the little maid's bright eyes.
"Oh, how pretty! Who sent them?" asked Jill, eagerly, as her eye glancedalong the wall, seeing other new and interesting things beyond: anelephant-hunt, a ship in full sail, a horse-race, and a ball-room.
"The good fairy who never comes empty-handed. Look round a bit and youwill see more pretties all for you, my dearie;" and her mother pointedto a bunch of purple grapes in a green leaf plate, a knot of brightflowers pinned on the white curtain, and a gay little double gown acrossthe foot of the bed.
Jill clapped her hands, and was enjoying her new pleasures, when in cameMerry and Molly Loo, with Boo, of course, trotting after her like a fatand amiable puppy. Then the good times began; the gown was put on, thefruit tasted, and the pictures were studied like famous works of art.
"It's a splendid plan to cover up that hateful wall. I'd stick picturesall round and have a gallery. That reminds me! Up in the garret at ourhouse is a box full of old fashion-books my aunt left. I often look atthem on rainy days, and they are very funny. I'll go this minute andget every one. We can pin them up, or make paper dolls;" and away rushedMolly Loo, with the small brother waddling behind, for, when he lostsight of her, he was desolate indeed.
The girls had fits of laughter over the queer costumes of years goneby, and put up a splendid procession of ladies in full skirts, toweringhats, pointed slippers, powdered hair, simpering faces, and impossiblewaists.
"I do think this bride is perfectly splendid, the long train and veilare _so_ sweet," said Jill, revelling in fine clothes as she turned fromone plate to another.
"I like the elephants best, and I'd give anything to go on a hunt likethat!" cried Molly Loo, who rode cows, drove any horse she could get,had nine cats, and was not afraid of the biggest dog that ever barked.
"I fancy 'The Dancing Lesson;' it is so sort of splendid, with the greatwindows, gold chairs, and fine folks. Oh, I would like to live ina castle with a father and mother like that," said Merry, who wasromantic, and found the old farmhouse on the hill a sad trial to herhigh-flown ideas of elegance.
"Now, that ship, setting out for some far-away place, is more to mymind. I weary for home now and then, and mean to see it again someday;" and Mrs. Pecq looked longingly at the English ship, though it wasevidently outward bound. Then, as if reproaching herself for discontent,she added: "It looks like those I used to see going off to India with aload of missionaries. I came near going myself once, with a lady boundfor Siam; but I went to Canada with her sister, and here I am."
"I'd like to be a missionary and go where folks throw their babies tothe crocodiles. I'd watch and fish them out, and have a school, andbring them up, and convert all the people till they knew better," saidwarm-hearted Molly Loo, who befriended every abused animal and forlornchild she met.
"We needn't go to Africa to be missionaries; they have 'em nearer homeand need 'em, too. In all the big cities there are a many, and they havetheir hands full with the poor, the wicked, and the helpless. One canfind that sort of work anywhere, if one has a mind," said Mrs. Pecq.
"I wish we had some to do h
ere. I'd so like to go round with basketsof tea and rice, and give out tracts and talk to people. Wouldn't you,girls?" asked Molly, much taken with the new idea.
"It would be rather nice to have a society all to ourselves, and havemeetings and resolutions and things," answered Merry, who was fond oflittle ceremonies, and always went to the sewing circle with her mother.
"We wouldn't let the boys come in. We'd have it a secret society, asthey do their temperance lodge, and we'd have badges and pass-wordsand grips. It would be fun if we can only get some heathen to work at!"cried Jill, ready for fresh enterprises of every sort.
"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 herin 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, folkswon't know me. Being sick makes naughty children behave in story-books,I'll see if live ones can't;" and Jill put on such a sanctified facethat the girls laughed and asked for their missions also, thinking theywould be the same.
"You, Merry, might do a deal at home helping mother, and setting the bigbrothers a good example. One little girl in a house can do pretty muchas she will, especially if she has a mind to make plain things nice andcomfortable, and not long for castles before she knows how to do her owntasks well," was the first unexpected reply.
Merry colored, but took the reproof sweetly, resolving to do what shecould, and surprised to find how many ways seemed open to her after afew minutes' thought.
"Where shall I begin? I'm not afraid of a dozen crocodiles after MissBat;" and Molly Loo looked about her with a fierce air, having hadpractice in battles with the old lady who kept her father's house.
"Well, dear, you haven't far to look for as nice a little heathen asyou'd wish;" and Mrs. Pecq glanced at Boo, who sat on the floor staringhard at them, attracted by the dread word "crocodile." He had a cold andno handkerchief, his little hands were red with chilblains, his clothesshabby, he had untidy darns in the knees of his stockings, and a head oftight curls that evidently had not been combed for some time.
"Yes, I know he is, and I try to keep him decent, but I forget, and hehates to be fixed, and Miss Bat doesn't care, and father laughs when Italk about it."
Poor Molly Loo looked much ashamed as she made excuses, trying at thesame time to mend matters by seizing Boo and dusting him all over withher handkerchief, giving a pull at his hair as if ringing bells, andthen dumping him down again with the despairing exclamation: "Yes, we'rea pair of heathens, and there's no one to save us if I don't."
That was true enough; for Molly's father was a busy man, careless ofeverything but his mills, Miss Bat was old and lazy, and felt as ifshe might take life easy after serving the motherless children for manyyears as well as she knew how. Molly was beginning to see how much amissthings were at home, and old enough to feel mortified, though, as yet,she had done nothing to mend the matter except be kind to the littleboy.
"You will, my dear," answered Mrs. Pecq, encouragingly, for she knew allabout it. "Now you've each got a mission, let us see how well you willget on. Keep it secret, if you like, and report once a week. I'll be amember, and we'll do great things yet."
"We won't begin till after Christmas; there is so much to do, we nevershall have time for any more. Don't tell, and we'll start fair at NewYear's, if not before," said Jill, taking the lead as usual. Then theywent on with the gay ladies, who certainly were heathen enough in dressto be in sad need of conversion,--to common-sense at least.
"I feel as if I was at a party," said Jill, after a pause occupiedin surveying her gallery with great satisfaction, for dress was herdelight, and here she had every conceivable style and color.
"Talking of parties, isn't it too bad that we must give up our Christmasfun? Can't get on without you and Jack, so we are not going to do athing, but just have our presents," said Merry, sadly, as they began tofit different heads and bodies together, to try droll effects.
"I shall be all well in a fortnight, I know; but Jack won't, for it willtake more than a month to mend his poor leg. May be they will have adance in the boys' big room, and he can look on," suggested Jill, witha glance at the dancing damsel on the wall, for she dearly loved it, andnever guessed how long it would be before her light feet would keep timeto music again.
"You'd better give Jack a hint about the party. Send over some smartladies, and say they have come to his Christmas ball," proposedaudacious Molly Loo, always ready for fun.
So they put a preposterous green bonnet, top-heavy with plumes, on alittle lady in yellow, who sat in a carriage; the lady beside her, inwinter costume of velvet pelisse and ermine boa, was fitted to a bride'shead with its orange flowers and veil, and these works of art were sentover to Jack, labelled "Miss Laura and Lotty Burton going to the Minots'Christmas ball,"--a piece of naughtiness on Jill's part, for she knewJack liked the pretty sisters, whose gentle manners made her own wildways seem all the more blamable.
No answer came for a long time, and the girls had almost forgotten theirjoke in a game of Letters, when "Tingle, tangle!" went the bell, and thebasket came in heavily laden. A roll of colored papers was tied outside,and within was a box that rattled, a green and silver horn, a roll ofnarrow ribbons, a spool of strong thread, some large needles, and a notefrom Mrs. Minot:--
"Dear Jill,--I think of having a Christmas tree so that our invalids canenjoy it, and all your elegant friends are cordially invited. Knowingthat you would like to help, I send some paper for sugar-plum horns andsome beads for necklaces. They will brighten the tree and pleasethe girls for themselves or their dolls. Jack sends you a horn for apattern, and will you make a ladder-necklace to show him how? Let meknow if you need anything.
"Yours in haste,
"Anna Minot"
"She knew what the child would like, bless her kind heart," said Mrs.Pecq to herself, and something brighter than the most silvery bead shoneon Jack's shirt-sleeve, as she saw the rapture of Jill over the new workand the promised pleasure.
Joyful cries greeted the opening of the box, for bunches of splendidlarge bugles appeared in all colors, and a lively discussion went on asto the best contrasts. Jill could not refuse to let her friends sharethe pretty work, and soon three necklaces glittered on three necks, aseach admired her own choice.
"I'd be willing to hurt my back dreadfully, if I could lie and do suchlovely things all day," said Merry, as she reluctantly put down herneedle at last, for home duties waited to be done, and looked more thanever distasteful after this new pleasure.
"So would I! Oh, do you think Mrs. Minot will let you fill the hornswhen they are done? I'd love to help you then. Be sure you send forme!" cried Molly Loo, arching her neck like a proud pigeon to watch theglitter of her purple and gold necklace on her brown gown.
"I'm afraid you couldn't be trusted, you love sweeties so, and I'm sureBoo couldn't. But I'll see about it," replied Jill, with a responsibleair.
The mention of the boy recalled him to their minds, and looking roundthey found him peacefully absorbed in polishing up the floor withMolly's pocket-handkerchief and oil from the little machine-can. Beingtorn from this congenial labor, he was carried off shining with greaseand roaring lustily.
But Jill did not mind her loneliness now, and sang like a happy canarywhile she threaded her sparkling beads, or hung the gay horns to dry,ready for their cargoes of sweets. So Mrs. Minot's recipe for sunshineproved successful, and mother-wit made the wintry day a bright and happyone for both the little prisoners.