The doctor spoke cheerfully , but looked sober , and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life . She said nothing , but Jill 's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face , and it depressed her spirits , though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done . The telegraph was a great comfort , and the two invalids kept up a lively correspondence , not to say traffic in light articles , for the Great International was the only aerial express in existence . But even this amusement flagged after a time ; neither had much to tell , and when the daily health bulletins had been exchanged , messages gave out , and the basket 's travels grew more and more infrequent . Neither could read all the time , games were soon used up , their mates were at school most of the day , and after a week or two the poor children began to get pale and fractious with the confinement , always so irksome to young people . `` I do believe the child will fret herself into a fever , mem , and I 'm clean distraught to know what to do for her . She never used to mind trifles , but now she frets about the oddest things , and I ca n't change them . This wall-paper is well enough , but she has taken a fancy that the spots on it look like spiders , and it makes her nervous . I 've no other warm place to put her , and no money for a new paper . Poor lass ! There are hard times before her , I 'm fearing . '' Mrs. Pecq said this in a low voice to Mrs. Minot , who came in as often as she could , to see what her neighbor needed ; for both mothers were anxious , and sympathy drew them to one another . While one woman talked , the other looked about the little room , not wondering in the least that Jill found it hard to be contented there . It was very neat , but so plain that there was not even a picture on the walls , nor an ornament upon the mantel , except the necessary clock , lamp , and match-box . The paper was ugly , being a deep buff with a brown figure that did look very like spiders sprawling over it , and might well make one nervous to look at day after day . Jill was asleep in the folding chair Dr. Whiting had sent , with a mattress to make it soft . The back could be raised or lowered at will ; but only a few inches had been gained as yet , and the thin hair pillow was all she could bear . She looked very pretty as she lay , with dark lashes against the feverish cheeks , lips apart , and a cloud of curly black locks all about the face pillowed on one arm . She seemed like a brilliant little flower in that dull place , -- for the French blood in her veins gave her a color , warmth , and grace which were very charming . Her natural love of beauty showed itself in many ways : a red ribbon had tied up her hair , a gay but faded shawl was thrown over the bed , and the gifts sent her were arranged with care upon the table by her side among her own few toys and treasures .
There was something pathetic in this childish attempt to beautify the poor place , and Mrs. XXXXX 's eyes were full as she looked at the tired woman , whose one joy and comfort lay there in such sad plight .
French Janey Minot Pecq daily match-box spiders trifles wall-paper week