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. Minot’s eyes were full as she looked at the tired woman, whose one joy and comfort lay there in such sad plight.

“My dear soul, cheer up, and we will help one another through the hard times,” she said, with a soft hand on the rough one, and a look that promised much.

“Please God, we will, mem!  With such good friends, I never should complain.  I try not to do it, but it breaks my heart to see my little lass spoiled for life, most like;” and Mrs. Pecq pressed the kind hand with a despondent sigh.

“We won’t say, or even think, that, yet.  Everything is possible to youth and health like Janey’s.  We must keep her happy, and time will do the rest, I’m sure.  Let us begin at once, and have a surprise for her when she wakes.”

As she spoke, Mrs. Minot moved quietly about the room, pinning the pages of several illustrated papers against the wall at the foot of the bed, and placing to the best advantage the other comforts she had brought.

“Keep up your heart, neighbor.  I have an idea in my head which I think will help us all, if I can carry it out,” she said, cheerily, as she went, leaving Mrs. Pecq to sew on Jack’s new night-gowns, with swift fingers, and the grateful wish that she might work for these good friends forever.

As if the whispering and rustling had disturbed her, Jill soon began to stir, and slowly opened the eyes which had closed so wearily on the dull December afternoon.  The bare wall with its brown spiders no longer confronted her, but the colored print of a little girl dancing to the tune her father was playing on a guitar, while a stately lady, with satin dress, ruff, and powder, stood looking on, well pleased.  The quaint figure, in its belaced frock, quilted petticoat, and red-heeled shoes, seemed to come tripping toward her in such a life-like way, that she almost saw the curls blow back, heard the rustle of the rich brocade, and caught the sparkle of the little maid’s bright eyes.

“Oh, how pretty!  Who sent them?” asked Jill, eagerly, as her eye glanced along the wall, seeing other new and interesting things beyond:  an elephant-hunt, a ship in full sail, a horse-race, and a ball-room.