She also recollected that a paper flew off the table , but being in haste she had not stopped to see what it was . Now , the stamp and the letter could hardly have come together without hands , for they lay a yard apart , and here , also , on the unwritten portion of the page , was the mark of a small green thumb . Jill had been winding wool for a stripe in her new afghan , and the green ball lay on her sofa . These signs suggested and confirmed what Mrs. Minot did not want to believe ; so did the voice , attitude , and air of Jill , all very unlike her usual open , alert ways . The kind lady could easily forgive the reading of her letter since the girl had found such sad news there , but the dangers of disobedience were serious in her case , and a glance showed that she was suffering either in mind or body -- perhaps both . `` I will wait for her to tell me . She is an honest child , and the truth will soon come out , '' thought Mrs. Minot , as she took a clean sheet , and Jill tried to study . `` Shall I hear your lesson , dear ? Jack means to recite his like a good boy , so suppose you follow his example , '' she said , presently . `` I do n't know as I can say it , but I 'll try . '' Jill did try , and got on bravely till she came to the word `` permanent ; '' there she hesitated , remembering where she saw it last . `` Do you know what that means ? '' asked her teacher , thinking to help her on by defining the word . `` Always -- for a great while -- or something like that ; does n't it ? '' faltered Jill , with a tight feeling in her throat , and the color coming up , as she tried to speak easily , yet felt so shame-stricken she could not . `` Are you in pain , my child ? Never mind the lesson ; tell me , and I 'll do something for you . '' The kind words , the soft hand on her hot cheek , and the pity in the eyes that looked at her , were too much for Jill . A sob came first , and then the truth , told with hidden face and tears that washed the blush away , and set free the honest little soul that could not hide its fault from such a friend . `` I knew it all before , and was sure you would tell me , else you would not be the child I love and like to help so well . ''
Then , while she soothed XXXXX 's trouble , Mrs. Minot told her story and showed the letter , wishing to lessen , if possible , some part of the pain it had given .
Jack Jill Minot attitude first lesson paper something table throat