eight o'clock
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 .