Each of the Minot boys had his own room , and there collected his own treasures and trophies , arranged to suit his convenience and taste . Frank 's was full of books , maps , machinery , chemical messes , and geometrical drawings , which adorned the walls like intricate cobwebs . A big chair , where he read and studied with his heels higher than his head , a basket of apples for refreshment at all hours of the day or night , and an immense inkstand , in which several pens were always apparently bathing their feet , were the principal ornaments of his scholastic retreat . Jack 's hobby was athletic sports , for he was bent on having a strong and active body for his happy little soul to live and enjoy itself in . So a severe simplicity reigned in his apartment ; in summer , especially , for then his floor was bare , his windows were uncurtained , and the chairs uncushioned , the bed being as narrow and hard as Napoleon 's . The only ornaments were dumbbells , whips , bats , rods , skates , boxing-gloves , a big bath-pan and a small library , consisting chiefly of books on games , horses , health , hunting , and travels . In winter his mother made things more comfortable by introducing rugs , curtains , and a fire . Jack , also , relented slightly in the severity of his training , occasionally indulging in the national buckwheat cake , instead of the prescribed oatmeal porridge , for breakfast , omitting his cold bath when the thermometer was below zero , and dancing at night , instead of running a given distance by day . Now , however , he was a helpless captive , given over to all sorts of coddling , laziness , and luxury , and there was a droll mixture of mirth and melancholy in his face , as he lay trussed up in bed , watching the comforts which had suddenly robbed his room of its Spartan simplicity . A delicious couch was there , with Frank reposing in its depths , half hidden under several folios which he was consulting for a history of the steam-engine , the subject of his next composition . A white-covered table stood near , with all manner of dainties set forth in a way to tempt the sternest principles . Vases of flowers bloomed on the chimney-piece , -- gifts from anxious young ladies , left with their love . Frivolous story-books and picture-papers strewed the bed , now shrouded in effeminate chintz curtains , beneath which Jack lay like a wounded warrior in his tent . But the saddest sight for our crippled athlete was a glimpse , through a half-opened door , at the beloved dumb-bells , bats , balls , boxing-gloves , and snow-shoes , all piled ignominiously away in the bath-pan , mournfully recalling the fact that their day was over , now , at least for some time . He was about to groan dismally , when his eye fell on a sight which made him swallow the groan , and cough instead , as if it choked him a little . The sight was his mother 's face , as she sat in a low chair rolling bandages , with a basket beside her in which were piles of old linen , lint , plaster , and other matters , needed for the dressing of wounds . As he looked , Jack remembered how steadily and tenderly she had stood by him all through the hard times just past , and how carefully she had bathed and dressed his wound each day in spite of the effort it cost her to give him pain or even see him suffer . `` That 's a better sort of strength than swinging twenty-pound dumb-bells or running races ; I guess I 'll try for that kind , too , and not howl or let her see me squirm when the doctor hurts , '' thought the boy , as he saw that gentle face so pale and tired with much watching and anxiety , yet so patient , serene , and cheerful , that it was like sunshine . `` Lie down and take a good nap , mother dear , I feel first-rate , and Frank can see to me if I want anything . Do , now , '' he added , with a persuasive nod toward the couch , and a boyish relish in stirring up his lazy brother .
After some urging , Mamma consented to go to her room for forty winks , leaving Jack in the care of XXXXX , begging him to be as quiet as possible if the dear boy wished to sleep , and to amuse him if he did not .
Frank Napoleon bath-pan dainties folios laziness night picture-papers snow-shoes steam-engine