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nor they could bear it； Jill suddenly broke out into a merry chorus
she used to hear her father sing：
〃Faut jouer le mirliton；
Faut jouer le mirlitir；
Faut jouer le mirliter；
Mirliton。〃
The sound of the brave little voice was very comforting to the two
mothers hovering about her； and Jack said； with a look of mingled
pity and admiration； as he brandished his crutch over the
imaginary foes；
〃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。〃
Jill laughed； but the fancy pleased her； and she straightened herself
out under the gay afghan； while she sang； in a plaintive voice；
another little French song her father taught her：
〃J'avais une colombe blanche；
J'avais un blanc petit pigeon；
Tous deu~ volaient； do branche en branche；
Jusqu'au falte de mon don geon：
Mais comme un coup do vent d'automne；
S'est abattu Za； I'？per…vier；
Ft ma colombe si mignonne
Ne revient plus au colombier。〃
〃My poor Jean had a fine voice； and always hoped the child would
take after him。 It would break his heart to see her lying there trying
to cheer her pain with the songs he used to sing her to sleep with；〃
said Mrs。 Pecq； sadly。
〃She really has a great deal of talent； and when she is able she
shall have some lessons； for music is a comfort and a pleasure；
sick or well；〃 answered Mrs。 Minot； who had often admired the
fresh voice； with its pretty accent。
Here Jill began the Canadian boat…song； with great vigor； as if
bound to play her part of Indian victim with spirit； and not disgrace
herself by any more crying。 All knew the air； and joined in；
especially Jack； who came out strong on the 〃Row； brothers； row；〃
but ended in a squeak on a high note； so drolly； that the rest broke
down。 So the hour that began with tears ended with music and
laughter； and a new pleasure to think of for the future。
After that day Jill exerted all her fortitude； for she liked to have the
boys call her brave and admire the cheerful way in which she
endured two hours of discomfort。 She found she could use her
zither as it lay upon her breast； and every day the pretty music
began at a certain hour； and all in the house soon learned to love
and listen for it。 Even the old cook set open her kitchen door；
saying pitifully； 〃Poor darlint； hear how purty she's singin'； wid the
pain； on that crewel boord。 It's a little saint； she is。 May her bed
above be aisy！〃
Frank would lift her gently on and off； with a kind word that
comforted her immensely； and gentle Ed would come and teach
her new bits of music； while the other fellows were frolicking
below。 Ralph added his share to her amusement； for he asked leave
to model her head in clay； and set up his work in a corner； Corning
to pat； scrape； and mould whenever he had a spare minute；
amusing her by his lively chat； and showing her how to shape
birds； rabbits； and queer faces in the soft clay； when the songs
were all sung and her fingers tired of the zither。
The girls sympathized very heartily with her new trial； and brought
all manner of gifts to cheer her captivity。 Merry and Molly made a
gay screen by pasting pictures on the black cambric which covered
the folding frame that stood before her to keep the draughts from
her as she lay on her board。 Bright birds and flowers； figures and
animals； covered one side； and on the other they put mottoes； bits
of poetry； anecdotes； and short stories； so that Jill could lie and
look or read without the trouble of holding a book。 It was not all
done at once； but grew slowly； and was a source of instruction as
well as amusement to them all； as they read carefully； that they
might make good Selections。
But the thing that pleased Jill most was something Jack did； for he
gave up going to school； and stayed at home nearly a fortnight
after he might have gone； all for her sake。 The day the doctor said
he might try it if he would be very careful； he was in great spirits；
and limped about； looking up his books； and planning how he
would astonish his mates by the rapidity of his recovery。 When he
sat down to rest he remembered Jill； who had been lying quietly
behind the screen； while he talked with his mother； busy putting
fresh covers on the books。
〃She is so still； I guess she is asleep；〃 thought Jack； peeping round
the corner。
No； not asleep； but lying with her eyes fixed on the sunny window；
beyond which the bright winter world sparkled after a fresh
snow…fall。 The jingle of sleigh…bells could be heard； the laughter of
boys and girls on their way to school； all the pleasant stir of a new
day of happy work and play for the rest of the world； more lonely；
quiet； and wearisome than ever to her since her friend and
fellow…prisoner was set free and going to leave her。
Jack understood that patient； wistful look； and； without a word；
went back to his seat； staring at the fire so soberly； that his mother
presently asked： 〃What are you thinking of so busily； with that
pucker in your forehead？〃
〃I've about made up my mind that I won't go to school just yet；〃
answered Jack； slowly lifting his head； for it cost him something to
give up the long…expected pleasure。
〃Why not？〃 and Mrs。 Minot looked much surprised； till Jack
pointed to the screen； and； making a sad face to express Jill's
anguish； answered in a cheerful tone； 'Well； I'm not sure that it is
best。 Doctor did not want me to go； but said I might because I
teased。 I shall be sure to come to grief； and then everyone will say；
'I told you so；' and that is so provoking。 I'd rather keep still a week
longer。 Hadn't I better？〃
His mother smiled and nodded as she said； sewing away at
much…abused old Caesar； as if she loved him； 〃Do as you think
best； dear。 I always want you at home； but I don't wonder you are
rather tired of it after this long confinement。〃
〃I say； Jill； should I be in your way if I didn't go to school till the
first of February？〃 called Jack； laughing to himself at the absurdity
of the question。
〃Not much！〃 answered a glad voice from behind the screen； and he
knew the sorrowful eyes were shining with delight； though he
could not see them。
〃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。〃
Jack got a hearty kiss with the neatly covered book； and Mamma
loved him for the little sacrifice more than if he had won a prize at
school。 He did get a reward； for； in five minutes from the time he
decided； Jill was singing like a bobolink； and such a medley of
merry music came from behind the screen； that it was a regular
morning concert。 She did not know then that he stayed for her
sake； but she found it out soon after