She ca n't stir one bit , '' announced Molly Loo , with a droll air of triumph , as if rather pleased than otherwise to have her patient hurt the worse ; for Jack 's wound was very effective , and Molly had a taste for the tragic . This cheerful statement was greeted with a wail from Susan and howls from Boo , who had earned that name from the ease with which , on all occasions , he could burst into a dismal roar without shedding a tear , and stop as suddenly as he began . `` Oh , I am so sorry ! It was my fault ; I should n't have let her do it , '' said Jack , distressfully . `` It was all my fault ; I made him . If I 'd broken every bone I 've got , it would serve me right . Do n't help me , anybody ; I 'm a wicked thing , and I deserve to lie here and freeze and starve and die ! '' cried Jill , piling up punishments in her remorseful anguish of mind and body . `` But we want to help you , and we can settle about blame by and by , '' whispered Merry with a kiss ; for she adored dashing Jill , and never would own that she did wrong . `` Here come the wood-sleds just in time . I 'll cut away and tell one of them to hurry up . '' And , freeing himself from his sisters , Gus went off at a great pace , proving that the long legs carried a sensible head as well as a kind heart . As the first sled approached , an air of relief pervaded the agitated party , for it was driven by Mr. Grant , a big , benevolent-looking farmer , who surveyed the scene with the sympathetic interest of a man and a father . `` Had a little accident , have you ? Well , that 's a pretty likely place for a spill . Tried it once myself and broke the bridge of my nose , '' he said , tapping that massive feature with a laugh which showed that fifty years of farming had not taken all the boy out of him . `` Now then , let 's see about this little chore , and lively , too , for it 's late , and these parties ought to be housed , '' he added , throwing down his whip , pushing back his cap , and nodding at the wounded with a reassuring smile . `` Jill first , please , sir , '' said Ed , the gentle squire of dames , spreading his overcoat on the sled as eagerly as ever Raleigh laid down his velvet cloak for a queen to walk upon . `` All right . Just lay easy , my dear , and I wo n't hurt you a mite if I can help it . ''
Careful as Mr. XXXXX was , Jill could have screamed with pain as he lifted her ; but she set her lips and bore it with the courage of a little Indian ; for all the lads were looking on , and Jill was proud to show that a girl could bear as much as a boy .
Ed Grant Loo Merry Molly accident first sled wood-sleds years