Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott

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.”