`` Not for a good many months . '' `` How many ? '' he asked with a pathetic sort of gruffness . `` A year , perhaps . '' `` A whole year ! Why , I expected to be ready for college by that time . '' And , pushing up the shade , Mac stared at her with startled eyes , that soon blinked and fell before the one ray of light . `` Plenty of time for that ; you must be patient now , and get them thoroughly well , or they will trouble you again when it will be harder to spare them , '' she said , with tears in her own eyes . `` I wo n't do it ! I will study and get through somehow . It 's all humbug about taking care so long . These doctors like to keep hold of a fellow if they can . But I wo n't stand it I vow I wo n't ! '' and he banged his fist down on the unoffending pillow as if he were pommelling the hard-hearted doctor . `` 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 XXXXX was frightened .
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