`` Do n't ! I 'm all right , '' and Jack tried to get up in order to prove that headers off a bank were mere trifles to him ; but at the first movement of the left leg he uttered a sharp cry of pain , and would have fallen if Gus had not caught and gently laid him down . `` What is it , old chap ? '' asked Frank , kneeling beside him , really alarmed now , the hurts seeming worse than mere bumps , which were common affairs among baseball players , and not worth much notice . `` I lit on my head , but I guess I 've broken my leg . Do n't frighten mother , '' and Jack held fast to Frank 's arm as he looked into the anxious face bent over him ; for , though the elder tyrannized over the younger , the brothers loved one another dearly . `` Lift his head , Frank , while I tie my handkerchief round to stop the bleeding , '' said a quiet voice , as Ed Devlin laid a handful of soft snow on the wound ; and Jack 's face brightened as he turned to thank the one big boy who never was rough with the small ones . `` Better get him right home , '' advised Gus , who stood by looking on , with his little sisters Laura and Lotty clinging to him . `` Take Jill , too , for it 's my opinion she has broken her back . She ca n't stir one bit , '' announced Molly Loo , with a droll air of triumph , as if rather pleased than otherwise to have her patient hurt the worse ; for Jack 's wound was very effective , and Molly had a taste for the tragic . This cheerful statement was greeted with a wail from Susan and howls from Boo , who had earned that name from the ease with which , on all occasions , he could burst into a dismal roar without shedding a tear , and stop as suddenly as he began . `` Oh , I am so sorry ! It was my fault ; I should n't have let her do it , '' said Jack , distressfully . `` It was all my fault ; I made him . If I 'd broken every bone I 've got , it would serve me right . Do n't help me , anybody ; I 'm a wicked thing , and I deserve to lie here and freeze and starve and die ! '' cried Jill , piling up punishments in her remorseful anguish of mind and body . `` But we want to help you , and we can settle about blame by and by , '' whispered Merry with a kiss ; for she adored dashing Jill , and never would own that she did wrong . `` Here come the wood-sleds just in time . I 'll cut away and tell one of them to hurry up . ''
And , freeing himself from his XXXXX , Gus went off at a great pace , proving that the long legs carried a sensible head as well as a kind heart .
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