She thought she was getting well because she did not suffer all the time, and every one spoke cheerfully about "by and by." Now she knew the truth, and shut her eyes with a shiver as she said, low, to herself,-- "Twenty years! I couldn't bear it; oh, I couldn't bear it!" A very miserable Jill lay on the floor, and for a while did not care who came and found her; then the last words of the letter--"I hope"-- seemed to shine across the blackness of the dreadful "twenty years" and cheer her up a bit, for despair never lives long in young hearts, and Jill was a brave child.
"That is why Mammy sighs so when she dresses me, and every one is so good to me.

Perhaps Mrs.Minot doesn't really know, after all.

She was dreadfully scared about Jack, and he is getting well.

I'd like to ask Doctor, but he might find out about the letter.

Oh, dear, why didn't I keep still and let the horrid thing alone!" As she thought that, Jill pushed the paper away, pulled herself up, and with much painful effort managed to get back to her sofa, where she laid herself down with a groan, feeling as if the twenty years had already passed over her since she tumbled off.
"I've told a lie, for I said I wouldn't stir.