Jack obediently closed his eyes and listened while the boys sang `` The Sweet By and By , '' softening their rough young voices for his sake till the music was as soft as a lullaby . He lay so still his mother thought he was off , but presently a tear slipped out and rolled down the red cheek , wetting her hand as it passed . `` My blessed boy , what is it ? '' she whispered , with a touch and a tone that only mothers have . The blue eyes opened wide , and Jack 's own sunshiny smile broke through the tears that filled them as he said with a sniff , -- `` Everybody is so good to me I ca n't help making a noodle of myself . `` You are not a noodle ! '' cried Mamma , resenting the epithet . `` One of the sweet things about pain and sorrow is that they show us how well we are loved , how much kindness there is in the world , and how easily we can make others happy in the same way when they need help and sympathy . Do n't forget that , little son . '' `` Do n't see how I can , with you to show me how nice it is . Kiss me good-night , and then ` I 'll be good , ' as Jill says . '' Nestling his head upon his mother 's arm , Jack lay quiet till , lulled by the music of his mates , he drowsed away into the dreamless sleep which is Nurse Nature 's healthiest soothing sirup for weary souls and bodies . Chapter III . Ward No. 1 For some days , nothing was seen and little was heard of the `` dear sufferers , '' as the old ladies called them . But they were not forgotten ; the first words uttered when any of the young people met were : `` How is Jack ? '' `` Seen Jill yet ? '' and all waited with impatience for the moment when they could be admitted to their favorite mates , more than ever objects of interest now . Meantime , the captives spent the first few days in sleep , pain , and trying to accept the hard fact that school and play were done with for months perhaps . But young spirits are wonderfully elastic and soon cheer up , and healthy young bodies heal fast , or easily adapt themselves to new conditions . So our invalids began to mend on the fourth day , and to drive their nurses distracted with efforts to amuse them , before the first week was over .
The most successful attempt originated in Ward No. 1 , as Mrs. Minot XXXXX Jack 's apartment , and we will give our sympathizing readers some idea of this place , which became the stage whereon were enacted many varied and remarkable scenes .
Do admitted broke called closed forget lulled met see uttered