Chapter II. Two Penitents

ndFrankwasking. “Isthepainanyeasier,mydarling?”askedMrs.Minot,leaningoverthepillow,wherethegoldenheadlayquietforamoment. “Notmuch.Iforgetitlisteningtothemusic.DearoldEdisplayingallmyfavoritetunes,anditisverynice.Iguesshefeelsprettysorryaboutme.” “Theyalldo.Frankcouldnottalkofit.Guswouldn'tgohometotea,hewassoanxioustodosomethingforus.Joebroughtbackthebitsofyourpoorsled,becausehedidn'tliketoleavethemlyingroundforanyonetocarryoff,hesaid,andyoumightlikethemtorememberyourfallby.” Jacktriedtolaugh,butitwasratherafailure,thoughhemanagedtosay,cheerfully,— “ThatwasgoodofoldJoe.Iwouldn'tlendhim'Thunderbolt'forfearhe'dhurtit.Couldn'thavesmasheditupbetterthanIdid,couldhe?Don'tthinkIwantanypiecestoremindmeofthatfall.Ijustwishyou'dseenus,mother!Itmusthavebeenasplendidspilltolookat,anyway.” “No,thankyouI'drathernoteventrytoimaginemypreciousboygoingheelsoverheaddownthatdreadfulhill.Nomorepranksofthatsortforsometime,Jacky”andMrs.Minotlookedratherpleasedonthewholetohaveherventuresomebirdsafeunderhermaternalwing. “NocoastingtillsometimeinJanuary.WhatafoolIwastodoit!Go-bangsalwaysaredangerous,andthat'sthefunofthething.Ohdear!” Jackthrewhisarmsaboutandfrowneddarkly,butneversaidawordofthewilfullittlebaggagewhohadledhimintomischiefhewastoomuchofagentlemantotellonagirl,thoughitcosthimanefforttoholdhistongue,becauseMamma'sgoodopinionwasveryprecioustohim,andhelongedtoexplain.Sheknewallaboutit,however,forJillhadbeencarriedintothehouserevilingherselfforthemishap,andeveninthemidstofherownanxietyforherboy,Mrs.Minotunderstoodthestateofthecasewithoutmorewords.Soshenowsethismindatrestbysaying,quietly. “Foolishfun,asyousee,dear.Anothertime,standfirmandhelpJilltocontrolherheadstrongwill.Whenyoulearntoyieldlessandshemore,therewillbenoscrapeslikethistotryusall.” “I