Mrs. Pecq was an Englishwoman who had left Montreal at the death of her husband , a French Canadian , and had come to live in the tiny cottage which stood near Mrs. Minot 's big house , separated only by an arbor-vitae hedge . A sad , silent person , who had seen better days , but said nothing about them , and earned her bread by sewing , nursing , work in the factory , or anything that came in her way , being anxious to educate her little girl . Now , as she sat beside the bed in the small , poor room , that hope almost died within her , for here was the child laid up for months , probably , and the one ambition and pleasure of the solitary woman 's life was to see Janey Pecq 's name over all the high marks in the school-reports she proudly brought home . `` She 'll win through , please Heaven , and I 'll see my lass a gentlewoman yet , thanks to the good friend in yonder , who will never let her want for care , '' thought the poor soul , looking out into the gloom where a long ray of light streamed from the great house warm and comfortable upon the cottage , like the spirit of kindness which made the inmates friends and neighbors . Meantime , that other mother sat by her boy 's bed as anxious but with better hope , for Mrs. Minot made trouble sweet and helpful by the way in which she bore it ; and her boys were learning of her how to find silver linings to the clouds that must come into the bluest skies . Jack lay wide awake , with hot cheeks , and throbbing head , and all sorts of queer sensations in the broken leg . The soothing potion he had taken did not affect him yet , and he tried to beguile the weary time by wondering who came and went below . Gentle rings at the front door , and mysterious tappings at the back , had been going on all the evening ; for the report of the accident had grown astonishingly in its travels , and at eight o'clock the general belief was that Jack had broken both legs , fractured his skull , and lay at the point of death , while Jill had dislocated one shoulder , and was bruised black and blue from top to toe . Such being the case , it is no wonder that anxious playmates and neighbors haunted the doorsteps of the two houses , and that offers of help poured in . Frank , having tied up the bell and put a notice in the lighted side-window , saying , `` Go to the back door , '' sat in the parlor , supported by his chum , Gus , while Ed played softly on the piano , hoping to lull Jack to sleep . It did soothe him , for a very sweet friendship existed between the tall youth and the lad of thirteen . Ed went with the big fellows , but always had a kind word for the smaller boys ; and affectionate Jack , never ashamed to show his love , was often seen with his arm round Ed 's shoulder , as they sat together in the pleasant red parlors , where all the young people were welcome and Frank was king . `` Is the pain any easier , my darling ? '' asked Mrs. Minot , leaning over the pillow , where the golden head lay quiet for a moment . `` Not much . I forget it listening to the music . Dear old Ed is playing all my favorite tunes , and it is very nice . I guess he feels pretty sorry about me . '' `` They all do . Frank could not talk of it .
XXXXX would n't go home to tea , he was so anxious to do something for us .
Canadian Ed Englishwoman Frank Gus evening linings o'clock school-reports side-window