`` Now , Mac , listen to me , '' Rose said very earnestly , though her voice shook a little and her heart ached . `` You know you have hurt your eyes reading by fire-light and in the dusk , and sitting up late , and now you 'll have to pay for it ; the doctor said so . You must be careful , and do as he tells you , or you will be blind . '' `` No ! '' `` Yes , it is true , and he wanted us to tell you that nothing but entire rest would cure you . I know it 's dreadfully hard , but we 'll all help you ; I 'll read all day long , and lead you , and wait upon you , and try to make it easier . '' She stopped there , for it was evident that he did not hear a sound ; the word `` blind '' seemed to have knocked him down , for he had buried his face in the pillow , and lay so still that Rose was frightened . She sat motionless for many minutes , longing to comfort him , but not knowing how , and wishing Uncle Alec would come , for he had promised to tell Mac . Presently , a sort of choking sound came out of the pillow , and went straight to her heart the most pathetic sob she ever heard , for , though it was the most natural means of relief , the poor fellow must not indulge in it because of the afflicted eyes . The `` French Revolution '' tumbled out of her lap , and , running to the sofa , she knelt down by it , saying , with the motherly sort of tenderness girls feel for any sorrowing creature , `` Oh , my dear , you must n't cry ! It is so bad for your poor eyes . Take your head out of that hot pillow , and let me cool it . I do n't wonder you feel so , but please do n't cry . I 'll cry for you ; it wo n't hurt me . '' As she spoke she pulled away the cushion with gentle force , and saw the green shade all crushed and stained with the few hot tears that told how bitter the disappointment had been . Mac felt her sympathy , but , being a boy , did not thank her for it ; only sat up with a jerk , saying , as he tried to rub away the tell-tale drops with the sleeve of his jacket , `` Do n't bother ; weak eyes always water . I 'm all right . '' But Rose cried out , and caught his arm , `` Do n't touch them with that rough woollen stuff ! Lie down and let me bathe them , there 's a dear boy ; then there will be no harm done . '' `` They do smart confoundedly .
I say , do n't you XXXXX the other fellows that I made a baby of myself , will you ? ''
's ached cure knelt let listen tell thank went wonder