asked Jill , expecting too much , for a word of encouragement made her as hopeful as she had been despondent before . `` No , dear , not so soon as that . It will be months , probably , before you can walk and run , as you used to ; but they will soon pass . You need n't mind about May-day ; it is always too cold for flowers , and you will find more here among your own plants , than on the hills , to fill your baskets , '' answered Mrs. Minot , hastening to suggest something pleasant to beguile the time of probation . `` I can wait . Months are not years , and if I 'm truly getting well , everything will seem beautiful and easy to me , '' said Jill , laying herself down again , with the patient look she had learned to wear , and gathering up the scattered carnations to enjoy their spicy breath , as if the fairies hidden there had taught her some of their sweet secrets . `` Dear little girl , it has been a long , hard trial for you , but it is coming to an end , and I think you will find that it has not been time wasted , I do n't want you to be a saint quite yet , but I am sure a gentler Jill will rise up from that sofa than the one who lay down there in December . '' `` How could I help growing better , when you were so good to me ? '' cried Jill , putting up both arms , as Mrs. Minot went to take Frank 's place , and he retired to the fire , there to stand surveying the scene with calm approval . `` You have done quite as much for us ; so we are even . I proved that to your mother , and she is going to let the little house and take care of the big one for me , while I borrow you to keep me happy and make the boys gentle and kind . That is the bargain , and we get the best of it , '' said Mrs. Minot , looking well pleased , while Jack added , `` That 's so ! '' and Frank observed with an air of conviction , `` We could n't get on without Jill , possibly . '' `` Can I do all that ? I did n't know I was of any use . I only tried to be good and grateful , for there did n't seem to be anything else I could do , '' said Jill , wondering why they were all so fond of her . `` No real trying is ever in vain . It is like the spring rain , and flowers are sure to follow in good time . The three gifts Patience gave Saint Lucy were courage , cheerfulness , and love , and with these one can work the sweetest miracles in the world , as you see , '' and Mrs. Minot pointed to the pretty room and its happy inmates . `` Am I really the least bit like that good Lucinda ?
I tried to be , but I did n't think I was , '' asked XXXXX softly .
Frank Jack Jill Lucinda Lucy Minot carnations fire months years