Chapter II. Two Penitents

JackandJillnevercaredtosaymuchaboutthenightwhichfollowedthefirstcoastingpartyoftheseason,foritwasthesaddestandthehardesttheirshortliveshadeverknown.Jacksufferedmostinbodyforthesettingofthebrokenlegwassuchapainfuljob,thatitwrungseveralsharpcriesfromhim,andmadeFrank,whohelped,quiteweakandwhitewithsympathy,whenitwasover.Thewoundedheadacheddreadfully,andthepoorboyfeltasifbruisedallover,forhehadtheworstofthefall.Dr.Whitingspokecheerfullyofthecase,andmadesolightofbrokenlegs,thatJackinnocentlyaskedifheshouldnotbeupinaweekorso. “Well,noitusuallytakestwenty-onedaysforbonestoknit,andyoungonesmakequickworkofit,”answeredthedoctor,withalastscientifictucktothevariousbandages,whichmadeJackfeellikeahaplesschickentrussedforthespit. “Twenty-onedays!Threewholeweeksinbed!Ishouldn'tcallthatquickwork,”groanedthedismayedpatient,whoseexperienceofillnesshadbeenlimited. “Itisafortydays'job,youngman,andyoumustmakeupyourmindtobearitlikeahero.Wewilldoourbestbutnexttime,lookbeforeyouleap,andsaveyourbones.Good-nightyou'llfeelbetterinthemorning.Nojigs,remember”andoffwentthebusydoctorforanotherlookatJill,whohadbeenorderedtobedandlefttoresttilltheothercasewasattendedto. AnyonewouldhavethoughtJack'splightmuchtheworse,butthedoctorlookedmoresoberoverJill'shurtbackthantheboy'scompoundfracturesandthepoorlittlegirlhadaverybadquarterofanhourwhilehewastryingtodiscovertheextentoftheinjury. “Keepherquiet,andtimewillshowhowmuchdamageisdone,”wasallhesaidinherhearingbutifshehadknownthathetoldMrs.Pecqhefearedseriousconsequences,shewouldnothavewonderedwhyhermothercriedassherubbedthenumblimbsandplacedthepillowssotenderly. JillsufferedmostinhermindforonlyasharpstabofpainnowandthenremindedherofherbodybutherremorsefullittlesoulgavehernopeaceforthinkingofJack,whosebruisesandbreakagesherlivelyfancypai