Jack lay wide awake , with hot cheeks , and throbbing head , and all sorts of queer sensations in the broken leg . The soothing potion he had taken did not affect him yet , and he tried to beguile the weary time by wondering who came and went below . Gentle rings at the front door , and mysterious tappings at the back , had been going on all the evening ; for the report of the accident had grown astonishingly in its travels , and at eight o'clock the general belief was that Jack had broken both legs , fractured his skull , and lay at the point of death , while Jill had dislocated one shoulder , and was bruised black and blue from top to toe . Such being the case , it is no wonder that anxious playmates and neighbors haunted the doorsteps of the two houses , and that offers of help poured in . Frank , having tied up the bell and put a notice in the lighted side-window , saying , `` Go to the back door , '' sat in the parlor , supported by his chum , Gus , while Ed played softly on the piano , hoping to lull Jack to sleep . It did soothe him , for a very sweet friendship existed between the tall youth and the lad of thirteen . Ed went with the big fellows , but always had a kind word for the smaller boys ; and affectionate Jack , never ashamed to show his love , was often seen with his arm round Ed 's shoulder , as they sat together in the pleasant red parlors , where all the young people were welcome and Frank was king . `` Is the pain any easier , my darling ? '' asked Mrs. Minot , leaning over the pillow , where the golden head lay quiet for a moment . `` Not much . I forget it listening to the music . Dear old Ed is playing all my favorite tunes , and it is very nice . I guess he feels pretty sorry about me . '' `` They all do . Frank could not talk of it . Gus would n't go home to tea , he was so anxious to do something for us . Joe brought back the bits of your poor sled , because he did n't like to leave them lying round for any one to carry off , he said , and you might like them to remember your fall by . '' Jack tried to laugh , but it was rather a failure , though he managed to say , cheerfully , -- `` That was good of old Joe . I would n't lend him ` Thunderbolt ' for fear he 'd hurt it . Could n't have smashed it up better than I did , could he ?
Do n't think I want any pieces to remind me of that XXXXX .
Dear failure fall fear houses pain rings round time youth