I could n't bear it ; oh , I could n't bear it ! '' A very miserable Jill lay on the floor , and for a while did not care who came and found her ; then the last words of the letter -- `` I hope '' -- seemed to shine across the blackness of the dreadful `` twenty years '' and cheer her up a bit , for despair never lives long in young hearts , and Jill was a brave child . `` That is why Mammy sighs so when she dresses me , and every one is so good to me . Perhaps Mrs. Minot does n't really know , after all . She was dreadfully scared about Jack , and he is getting well . I 'd like to ask Doctor , but he might find out about the letter . Oh , dear , why did n't I keep still and let the horrid thing alone ! '' As she thought that , Jill pushed the paper away , pulled herself up , and with much painful effort managed to get back to her sofa , where she laid herself down with a groan , feeling as if the twenty years had already passed over her since she tumbled off . `` I 've told a lie , for I said I would n't stir . I 've hurt my back , I 've done a mean thing , and I 've got paid for it . A nice missionary I am ; I 'd better begin at home , as Mammy told me to ; '' and Jill groaned again , remembering her mother 's words . `` Now I 've got another secret to keep all alone , for I 'd be ashamed to tell the girls . I guess I 'll turn round and study my spelling ; then no one will see my face . '' Jill looked the picture of a good , industrious child as she lay with her back to the large table , her book held so that nothing was to be seen but one cheek and a pair of lips moving busily . Fortunately , it is difficult for little sinners to act a part , and , even if the face is hidden , something in the body seems to betray the internal remorse and shame . Usually , Jill lay flat and still ; now her back was bent in a peculiar way as she leaned over her book , and one foot wagged nervously , while on the visible cheek was a Spanish stamp with a woman 's face looking through the black bars , very suggestively , if she had known it . How long the minutes seemed till some one came , and what a queer little jump her heart gave when Mrs. Minot 's voice said , cheerfully , `` Jack is all right , and , I declare , so is Jill . I really believe there is a telegraph still working somewhere between you two , and each knows what the other is about without words . '' `` I did n't have any other book handy , so I thought I 'd study awhile , '' answered Jill , feeling that she deserved no praise for her seeming industry . She cast a sidelong glance as she spoke , and seeing that Mrs. Minot was looking for the letter , hid her face and lay so still she could hear the rustle of the paper as it was taken from the floor .
It was well she did not also see the quick look the lady XXXXX her as she turned the letter and found a red stamp sticking to the under side , for this unlucky little witness told the story .
came care cast declare gave hidden know spoke thought turn