Chapter XV. Saint Lucy

metothepalace,andthequeenwasgladtohaveher.Shehadfallenandhurtherself,soshelayinbedweekafterweek,withhermothertotakecareofher—” “That'syou,”whisperedJack,throwingthewhitecarnationatJill,andshethrewbacktheredone,withherfingeronherlips,forthetalewasveryinterestingnow. “Shedidnotsuffermuchafteratime,butshescoldedandcried,andcouldnotberesigned,becauseshewasaprisoner.Thequeentriedtohelpher,butshecouldnotdomuchtheprinceswerekind,buttheyhadtheirbooksandplays,andwereawayagooddeal.Somefriendsshehadcameoftentoseeher,butstillshebeatherwingsagainstthebars,likeawildbirdinacage,andsoonherspiritswereallgone,anditwassadtoseeher.” “WherewasyourSaintLucy?Ithoughtitwasabouther,”askedJack,whodidnotliketohaveJill'spasttroublesdweltupon,sincehiswerenot. “Sheiscoming.Saintsarenotborn—theyaremadeaftermanytrialsandtribulations,”answeredhismother,lookingatthefireasifithelpedhertospinherlittlestory.“Well,thepoorchildusedtosingsometimestowhileawaythelonghours—sadsongsmostly,andoneamongthemwhichthequeentaughtherwas'SweetPatience,Come.' “Thissheusedtosingagreatdealafterawhile,neverdreamingthatPatiencewasanangelwhocouldhearandobey.Butitwassoandonenight,whenthegirlhadlulledherselftosleepwiththatsong,theangelcame.Nobodysawthelovelyspiritwithtendereyes,andavoicethatwaslikebalm.Nooneheardtherustleofwingsasshehoveredoverthelittlebedandtouchedthelips,theeyes,thehandsofthesleeper,andthenflewaway,leavingthreegiftsbehind.Thegirldidnotknowwhy,butafterthatnightthesongsgrewgayer,thereseemedtobemoresunshineeverywherehereyeslooked,andherhandswerenevertiredofhelpingothersinvariouspretty,useful,orpleasantways.Slowlythewildbirdceasedtobeatagainstthebars,butsatinitscageandmademusicforallinthepalace,tillthequeencouldnotdowithoutit,thepoormothercheeredup,andtheprincescalledthegirltheirnightingale.” “Wasthatthemiracle?”askedJack,forgettingallabouthisslippers,ashewatchedJill'seyesbrightenandthecolorcomeupinherwhitecheeks. “Thatwasthemiracle,andPatiencecanworkfargreateronesifyouwilllether.” “Andthegirl'snamewasLucy?” “Yestheydidnotcallherasaintthen,butshewastryingtobeascheerfulasacertaingoodwomanshehadheardof,andsothequeenhadthatnameforher,thoughshedidnotletherknowitforalongtime.” “That'snotbadforaSundaystory,buttheremighthavebeenmoreabouttheprinces,seemstome,”wasFrank'scriticism,asJilllayverystill,tryingtohideherfacebehindthecarnation,forshehadnowordstotellhowtouchedandpleasedshewastofindthatherlittleeffortstobegoodhadbeenseen,remembered,andnowrewardedinthisway. “Thereismore.” “Thenthestoryisn'tdone?”criedJack. “Ohdear,nothemostinterestingthingsaretocome,ifyoucanwaitforthem.” “Yes,Isee,thisisthemoralpart.Nowkeepstill,andletushavetherest,”commandedFrank,whiletheotherscomposedthemselvesforthesequel,suspectingthatitwasrathernice,becauseMamma'ssoberfacechanged,andhereyeslaughedastheylookedatthefire. “Theelderprincewasveryfondofdrivingdragons,forthepeopleofthatcountryusedthesefierymonstersashorses.” “Andgotrunawaywith,didn'the?”laughedJack,adding,withgreatinterest,“Whatdidtheotherfellowdo?” “Hewentaboutfightingotherpeople'sbattles,helpingthepoor,andtryingtodogood.Buthelackedjudgment,soheoftengotintotrouble,andwasinsuchahurrythathedidnotalwaysstoptofindoutthewisestway.Aswhenhegaveawayhisbestcoattoabeggarboy,insteadoftheoldonewhichheintendedtogive.” “Isay,thatisn'tfair,mother!Neitherofthemwasnew,andtheboyneededthebestmorethanIdid,andIworetheoldoneallwinter,didn'tI?”askedJack,whohadratherexultedoverFrank,andwasnowtakendownhimself. “Ye