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 Jill 's trouble , Mrs. Minot told her story and showed the letter , wishing to lessen , if possible , some part of the pain it had given . `` Sly old stamp ! To go and tell on me when I meant to own up , and get some credit if I could , after being so mean and bad , '' said Jill , smiling through her tears when she saw the tell-tale witnesses against her . `` You had better stick it in your book to remind you of the bad consequences of disobedience , then perhaps this lesson will leave a ` permanent ' impression on your mind and memory , '' answered Mrs. Minot , glad to see her natural gayety coming back , and hoping that she had forgotten the contents of the unfortunate letter . But she had not ; and presently , when the sad affair had been talked over and forgiven , Jill asked , slowly , as she tried to put on a brave look , -- `` Please tell me about Lucinda Snow . If I am to be like her , I might as well know how she managed to bear it so long . '' `` I 'm sorry you ever heard of her , and yet perhaps it may help you to bear your trial , dear , which I hope will never be as heavy a one as hers . This Lucinda I knew for years , and though at first I thought her fate the saddest that could be , I came at last to see how happy she was in spite of her affliction , how good and useful and beloved . '' `` Why , how could she be ? What did she do ? '' cried Jill , forgetting her own troubles to look up with an open , eager face again . `` She was so patient , other people were ashamed to complain of their small worries ; so cheerful , that her own great one grew lighter ; so industrious , that she made both money and friends by pretty things she worked and sold to her many visitors . And , best of all , so wise and sweet that she seemed to get good out of everything , and make her poor room a sort of chapel where people went for comfort , counsel , and an example of a pious life . So , you see , Lucinda was not so very miserable after all . '' `` Well , if I could not be as I was , I 'd like to be a woman like that . Only , I hope I shall not ! ''
answered XXXXX , thoughtfully at first , then coming out so decidedly with the last words that it was evident the life of a bedridden saint was not at all to her mind .
Jill Lucinda Minot Snow affair affliction first money people years