第3章

Thegirlshadfitsoflaughteroverthequeercostumesofyearsgoneby,andputupasplendidprocessionofladiesinfullskirts,toweringhats,pointedslippers,powderedhair,simperingfaces,andimpossiblewaists。

"Idothinkthisbrideisperfectlysplendid,thelongtrainandvailaresosweet,"saidJill,revellinginfineclothesassheturnedfromoneplatetoanother。

"Iliketheelephantsbest,andI\'dgiveanythingtogoonahuntlikethat！"criedMollyLoo,whorodecows,droveanyhorseshecouldget,hadninecats,andwasnotafraidofthebiggestdogthateverbarked。

"Ifancy\'TheDancingLesson;itissosortofsplendid,withthegreatwindows,goldchairs,andfinefolks。Oh,Iwouldliketoliveinacastlewithafatherandmotherlikethat,"saidMerry,whowasromantic,andfoundtheoldfarmhouseonthebillasadtrialtoherhigh—flownideasofelegance。

"Now,thatship,settingoutforsomefar—awayplace,ismoretomymind。Iwearyforhomenowandthen,andmeantoseeitagainsomeday";andMrs。PecqlookedlonginglyattheEnglishship,thoughitwasevidentlyoutwardbound。Then,asifreproachingherselffordiscontent,sheadded:"ItlookslikethoseIusedtoseegoingofftoIndiawithaloadofmissionaries。Icameneargoingmyselfonce,withaladyboundforSiam;butIwenttoCanadawithhersister,andhereIam。"

"I\'dliketobeamissionaryandgowherefolksthrowtheirbabiestothecrocodiles。I\'dwatchandfishthemout,andhaveaschool,andbringthemup,andconvertallthepeopletilltheyknewbetter,"saidwarm—heartedMollyLoo,whobefriendedeveryabusedanimalandforlornchildshemet。

"Weneedn\'tgotoAfricatobemissionaries;theyhave\'emnearerhomeandneed\'em,too。Inallthebigcitiesthereareamany,andtheyhavetheirhandsfullwiththepoor,thewicked,andthehelpless。Onecanfindthatsortofworkanywhere,ifonehasamind,"saidMrs。Pecq。

"Iwishwehadsometodohere。I\'dsoliketogoroundwithbasketsofteaandrice,andgiveouttractsandtalktopeople。

Wouldn\'tyou,girls？"askedMolly,muchtakenwiththenewidea。

"Itwouldberathernicetohaveasocietyalltoourselves,andhavemeetingsandresolutionsandthings,"answeredMerry,whowasfondoflittleceremonies,andalwayswenttothesewingcirclewithhermother。

"Wewouldn\'tlettheboyscomein。Wedhaveitasecretsociety,asthey\'dotheirtemperancelodge,andwedhavebadgesandpass—wordsandgrips。Itwouldbefunifwecanonlygetsomeheathentoworkat！"criedJill,readyforfreshenterprisesofeverysort。

"Icantellyousomeonetobeginonrightaway,"saidhermother,noddingather。"AswildalittlesavageasI\'dwishtosee。Takeherinhand,andmakeapretty—manneredladyofher。Beginathome,mylass,andyou\'llfindmissionaryworkenoughforawhile。"

"Now,Mammy,youmeanme！Well,Iwillbegin;andI\'llbesogood,folkswon\'tknowme。Beingsickmakesnaughtychildrenbehaveinstory—books,I\'llseeifliveonescant";andJillputonsuchasanctifiedfacethatthegirlslaughedandaskedfortheirmissionsalso,thinkingtheywouldbethesame。

"You,Merry,mightdoadealathomehelpingmother,andsettingthebigbrothersagoodexample。Onelittlegirlinahousecandoprettymuchasshewill,especiallyifshehasamindtomakeplainthingsniceandcomfortable,andnotlongforcastlesbeforesheknowshowtodoherowntaskswell,"wasthefirstunexpectedreply。

Merrycolored,buttookthereproofsweetly,resolvingtodowhatshecould,andsurprisedtofindhowmanywaysseemedopentoherafterafewminutesthought。

"WhereshallIbegin？I\'mnotafraidofadozencrocodilesafterMissBat";andMollyLoolookedaboutherwithafierceair,havinghadpracticeinbattleswiththeoldladywhokeptherfather\'shouse。

"Well,dear,youhaven\'tfartolookforasnicealittleheathenasyoudwish";andMrs。PecqglancedatBoo,whosatonthefloorstaringhardatthem,attractedbythedreadword"crocodile。"Hehadacoldandnohandkerchief,hislittlehandswereredwithchilblains,hisclothesshabby,hehaduntidydarnsinthekneesofhisstockings,andaheadoftightcurlsthatevidentlyhadnotbeencombedforsometime。

"Yes,Iknowheis,andItrytokeephimdecent,butIforget,andhehatestobefixed,andMissBatdoesn\'tcare,andfatherlaughswhenItalkaboutit。"

PoorMollyLoolookedmuchashamedasshemadeexcuses,tryingatthesametimetomendmattersbyseizingBooanddustinghimalloverwithherhandkerchief,givingapullathishairasifringingbells,andthendumpinghimdownagainwiththedespairingexclamation:"Yes,wereapairofheathens,andthere\'snoonetosaveusifIdon\'t。"

Thatwastrueenough;forMolly\'sfatherwasabusyman,carelessofeverythingbuthismills,MissBatwasoldandlazy,andfeltasifshemighttakelifeeasyafterservingthemotherlesschildrenformanyyearsaswellassheknewhow。Mollywasbeginningtoseehowmuchamissthingswereathome,andoldenoughtofeelmortified,though,asyet,shehaddonenothingtomendthematterexceptbekindtothelittleboy。

"Youwill,mydear,"answeredMrs。Pecq,encouragingly,forsheknewallaboutit。"Nowyouveeachgotamission,letusseehowwellyouwillgeton。Keepitsecret,ifyoulike,andreportonceaweek。I\'llbeamember,andwe\'lldogreatthingsyet。"

"Wewon\'tbegintillafterChristmas;thereissomuchtodo,wenevershallhavetimeforanymore。Don\'ttell,andwe\'llstartfairatNewYears,ifnotbefore,"saidJill,takingtheleadasusual。

Thentheywentonwiththegayladies,whocertainlywereheathenenoughindresstobeinsadneedofconversiontocommon—senseatleast。

"IfeelasifIwasataparty,"saidJill,afterapauseoccupiedinsurveyinghergallerywithgreatsatisfaction,fordresswasherdelight,andhereshehadeveryconceivablestyleandcolor。

"Talkingofparties,isn\'tittoobadthatwemustgiveupourChristmasfun？Can\'tgetonwithoutyouandJack,sowearenotgoingtodoathing,butjusthaveourpresents,"saidMerry,sadly,astheybegantofitdifferentheadsandbodiestogether,totrydrolleffects。

"Ishallbeallwellinafortnight,Iknow;butJackwont,foritwilltakemorethanamonthtomendhispoorleg。Maybe,theywillhaveadanceintheboysbigroom,andhecanlookon,"suggestedJill,withaglanceatthedancingdamselonthewall,forshedearlylovedit,andneverguessedhowlongitwouldbebeforeherlightfeetwouldkeeptimetomusicagain。

"YoudbettergiveJackahintabouttheparty。Sendoversomesmartladies,andsaytheyhavecometohisChristmasball,"

proposedaudaciousMollyLoo,alwaysreadyforfun。

Sotheyputapreposterousgreenbonnet,top—heavywithplumes,onalittleladyinyellow,whosatinacarriage;theladybesideher,inwintercostumeofvelvetpelisseandermineboa,wasfittedtoabride\'sheadwithitsorangeflowersandveil,andtheseworksofartweresentovertoJack,labelled"MissLauraandLottyBurtongoingtotheMinots\'ChristmasbalI"apieceofnaughtinessonJill\'spart,forsheknewJacklikedtheprettysisters,whosegentlemannersmadeherownwildwaysseemallthemoreblamable。

Noanswercameforalongtime,andthegirlshadalmostforgottentheirjokeinagameofLetters,when"Tingle,tangle！"wentthebell,andthebasketcameinheavilyladen。Arollofcoloredpaperswastiedoutside,andwithinwasaboxthatrattled,agreenandsilverhorn,arollofnarrowribbons,aspoolofstrongthread,somelargeneedles,andanotefromMrs。Minot:

"DearJill—IthinkofhavingaChristmastreesothatourinvalidscanenjoyit,andallyourelegantfriendsarecordiallyinvited。

Knowingthatyouwouldliketohelp,Isendsomepaperforsugar—plumhornsandsomebeadsfornecklaces。Theywillbrightenthetreeandpleasethegirlsforthemselvesortheirdolls。

Jacksendsyouahornforapattern,andwillyoumakealadder—necklacetoshowhimhow？Letmeknowifyouneedanything。

Yoursinhaste,AnnaMinot"

"Sheknewwhatthechildwouldlike,blessherkindheart,"saidMrs。Pecqtoherself,andsomethingbrighterthanthemostsilverybeadshoneonJack\'sshirt—sleeve,asshesawtheraptureofJilloverthenewworkandthepromisedpleasure。

Joyfulcriesgreetedtheopeningofthebox,forbunchesofsplendidlargebuglesappearedinallcolors,andalivelydiscussionwentonastothebestcontrasts。Jillcouldnotrefusetoletherfriendssharetheprettywork,andsoonthreenecklacesglitteredonthreenecks,aseachadmiredherownchoice。

"I\'dbewillingtohurtmybackdreadfully,ifIcouldlieanddosuchlovelythingsallday,"saidMerry,asshereluctantlyputdownherneedleatlast,forhomedutieswaitedtobedone,andlookedmorethaneverdistastefulafterthisnewpleasure。

"SowouldI！Oh,doyouthinkMrs。Minotwillletyoufillthehornswhentheyaredone？I\'dlovetohelpyouthen。Besureyousendforme！"criedMollyLoo,archinghernecklikeaproudpigeontowatchtheglitterofherpurpleandgoldnecklaceonherbrowngown。

"I\'mafraidyoucouldn\'tbetrusted,youlovesweetiesso,andImsureBoocouldn\'t。ButI\'llseeaboutit,"repliedJill,witharesponsibleair。

Thementionoftheboyrecalledhimtotheirminds,andlookingroundtheyfoundhimpeacefullyabsorbedinpolishingupthefloorwithMolly\'spocket—handkerchiefandoilfromthelittlemachine—can。Beingtornfromthiscongeniallabor,hewascarriedoffshiningwithgreaseandroaringlustily。

ButJilldidnotmindherlonelinessnow,andsanglikeahappycanarywhileshethreadedhersparklingbeads,orhungthegayhornstodry,readyfortheircargoesofsweets。SoMrs。Minot\'srecipeforsunshineprovedsuccessful,andmother—witmadethewintrydayabrightandhappyoneforboththelittleprisoners。

Chapter5SecretsTherewereagreatmanyclubsinHarmonyVillage,butasweintendtointerestourselveswiththeaffairsoftheyoungfolksonly,weneednotdwellupontheintellectualamusementsoftheelders。

Insummer,theboysdevotedthemselvestobaseball,thegirlstoboating,andallgotrosy,stout,andstrong,inthesehealthfulexercises。Inwinter,theladshadtheirdebatingclub,thelassesadramaticditto。Attheformer,astonishingburstsoforatorywereheard;atthelatter,everythingwasboldlyattempted,fromRomeoandJuliettoMotherGoose\'simmortalmelodies。Thetwoclubsfrequentlymetandmingledtheirattractionsinareallyentertainingmanner,forthespeakersmadegoodactors,andtheyoungactressesweremostappreciativelistenerstotheeloquenceofeachbuddingDemosthenes。

GreatplanshadbeenafootforChristmasorNewYear,butwhenthegrandcatastropheputanendtothecareerofoneofthebest"spouters,"andcausedtheretirementofthefavorite"singingchambermaid,"theaffairwaspostponedtillFebruary,whenWashington\'sbirthdaywasalwayscelebratedbythepatriotictown,wherethefatherofhiscountryonceputonhisnightcap,ortookoffhisboots,asthatubiquitousheroappearstohavedoneineverypartoftheUnitedStates。

MeantimetheboyswerestudyingRevolutionarycharacters,andthegirlsrehearsingsuchdramaticscenesastheythoughtmostappropriateandeffectiveforthe22d。InbothoftheseattemptstheyweremuchhelpedbythesenseandspiritofRalphEvans,ayouthofnineteen,whowasagreatfavoritewiththeyoungfolks,notonlybecausehewasagood,industriousfellow,whosupportedhisgrandmother,butalsofulloftalent,fun,andingenuity。Itwasnowondereveryonewhoreallyknewhimlikedhim,forhecouldturnhishandtoanything,andlovedtodoit。Ifthegirlswereindespairaboutafire—placewhenacting"TheCricketontheHearth,"hepaintedone,andputagas—loginitthatmadethekettlereallyboil,totheirgreatdelight。Iftheboysfoundtheinterestoftheirclubflagging,Ralphwouldconvulsethembyimitationsofthe"MemberfromCranberryCentre,"orfirethemwithspeechesoffamousstatesmen。Charityfairscouldnotgetonwithouthim,andinthestorewhereheworkedhedidmanyaningeniousjob,whichmadehimvaluedforhismechanicalskill,aswellasforhisenergyandintegrity。

Mrs。Minotlikedtohavehimwithhersons,becausetheyalsoweretopaddletheirowncanoesbyandby,andshebelievedthat,richorpoor,boysmakebettermenforlearningtousethetalentstheypossess,notmerelyasornaments,buttoolswithwhichtocarvetheirownfortunes;andthebesthelptowardthisendisanexampleoffaithfulwork,highaims,andhonestliving。SoRalphcameoften,andintimesoftroublewasarealrainy—dayfriend。

Jackgrewveryfondofhimduringhisimprisonment,forthegoodyouthranineveryeveningtogetcommissions,amusetheboywithdrollaccountsoftheday\'sadventures,orinventlifts,bed—tables,andfoot—restsfortheimpatientinvalid。Frankfoundhimasureguidethroughthemechanicalmysterieswhichheloved,andspentmanyausefulhalf—hourdiscussingcylinders,pistons,valves,andbalance—wheels。Jillalsocameinforhershareofcareandcomfort;

thepoorlittlebacklayalltheeasierfortheair—cushionRalphgother,andthewearyheadachesfoundrelieffromthesprayatomizer,whichsoftlydistilleditsscenteddewonthehotforeheadtillshefellasleep。

RoundthebedsofJackandJillmetandmingledtheschoolmatesofwhomourstorytreats。Never,probably,didinvalidshavegayertimesthanourtwo,afteraweekofsolitaryconfinement;forschoolgossipcreptin,gamescouldnotbeprevented,andChristmassecretswereconcoctedinthoseroomstilltheywereregularconspiratorsdens,whentheywerenotlittleBedlams。

Afterthehornandbeadlaborswereover,thestringingofpop—cornonred,andcranberriesonwhite,threads,camenext,andJackandJilloftenlookedlikeanewkindofspiderintheprettywebshungaboutthem,tillreeledofftobidetheirtimeintheChristmascloset。Paperflowersfollowed,andgaygarlandsandbouquetsblossomed,regardlessofthesnowandfrostwithout。Thentherewasagreatscribblingofnames,verses,andnotestoaccompanythesteadilyincreasingstoreofoddparcelswhichwerecollectedattheMinots\',forgiftsfromeveryoneweretoornamentthetree,andcontributionspouredinasthedaydrewnear。

ButthesecretwhichmostexcitedtheyoungpeoplewasthedeepmysteryofcertainproceedingsattheMinothouse。NoonebutFrank,Ralph,andMammaknewwhatitwas,andthetwoboysnearlydrovetheothersdistractedbythetantalizingwayinwhichtheyhintedatjoystocome,talkedstrangelyaboutbirds,wentmeasuringroundwithfoot—rules,andshutthemselvesupintheBoysDen,asacertainlargeroomwascalled。Thisseemedtobethecentreofoperations,butbeyondthefactofthepromisedtreenorayoflightwaspermittedtopassthejealouslyguardeddoors,Strangemenwithpaste—potsandladderswentin,furniturewasdraggedabout,andallsortsofboyishlumberwassentupgarretanddowncellar。Mrs。Minotwasseenponderingoverheapsofgreenstuff,hammeringwasheard,singularbundlesweresmuggledupstairs,floweringplantsbetrayedtheirpresencebywhiffsoffragrancewhenthedoorwasopened,andMrs。Pecqwascaughtsmilingallbyherselfinabackbedroom,whichusuallywasshutupinwinter。

"Theyaregoingtohaveaplay,afterall,andthatgreenstuffwasthecurtain,"saidMollyLoo,asthegirlstalkeditoveroneday,whentheysatwiththeirbacksturnedtooneanother,puttinglaststitchesincertainbitsofworkwhichhadtobeconcealedfromalleyes,thoughitwasfoundconvenienttoaskoneanother\'stasteastothecolor,materials,andsizesofthesemysteriousarticles。

"Ithinkitisgoingtobeadance。IheardtheboysdoingtheirstepswhenIwentinlasteveningtofindoutwhetherJacklikedblueoryellowbest,soIcouldputthebowonhispen—wiper,"declaredMerry,knittingbrisklyawayatthelastofthepairofprettywhitebed—socksshewasmakingforJillrightunderherinquisitivelittlenose。

"Theywouldn\'thaveapartyofthatkindwithoutJackandme。Itisonlyanextranicetree,youseeifitisn\'t,"answeredJillfrombehindthepillowswhichmadeatemporaryscreentohidethetoiletmatsshewaspreparingforallherfriends。

"Everyoneofyouiswrong,andyoudbetterresteasy,foryouwon\'tfindoutthebestpartofit,tryasyoumay。"AndMrs。Pecqactuallychuckledasshe,too,workedawayatsomebitsofmuslin,withherbackturnedtotheveryunsocial—lookinggroup。

"Well,Idon\'tcare,wevegotasecretallourown,andwon\'tevertell,willwe？"criedJill,fallingbackontheHomeMissionarySociety,thoughitwasnotyetbegun。

"Never！"answeredthegirls,andalltookgreatcomfortintheideathatonemysterywouldnotbeclearedup,evenatChristmas。

Jackgaveupguessing,indespair,afterhehadsuggestedanewdining—roomwherehecouldeatwiththefamily,aprivateschoolinwhichhislessonsmightgoonwithatutor,oratheatrefortheproductionofthefarcesinwhichhedelighted。

"Itisgoingtobeusedtokeepsomethinginthatyouareveryfondof,"saidMamma,takingpityonhimatlast。

"Ducks？"askedJack,withahalfpleased,halfpuzzledair,notquiteseeingwherethewaterwastocomefrom。

Frankexplodedattheidea,andaddedtothemystificationbysaying,"Therewillbeonelittleduckandonegreatdonkeyinit。"Then,fearinghehadtoldthesecret,heranoff,quackingandbrayingderisively。

"ItistobeusedforcreaturesthatI,too,amfondof,andyouknowneitherdonkeysnorducksarefavoritiesofmine,"saidMamma,withademureexpression,asshesatturningoveroldclothesforthebundlesthatalwayswenttopoorneighbors,withalittlestoreofgoodies,atthistimeoftheyear。

"Iknow！Iknow！Itistobeanewwardformoresickfolks,isn\'tit,now？"criedJack,withwhathethoughtagreatproofofshrewdness。

"Idon\'tseehowIcouldattendtomanymorepatientstillthisoneisoffmyhands,"answeredMamma,withaqueersmile,addingquickly,asifshetoowasafraidoflettingthecatoutofthebag:

"ThatremindsmeofaChristmasIoncespentamongthehospitalsandpoor—housesofagreatcitywithagoodladywho,forthirtyyears,hadmadeithermissiontoseethatthesepoorlittlesoulshadonemerryday。Wegaveawaytwohundreddolls,severalgreatboxesofcandyandtoys,besidesgaypictures,andnewclothestoorphanchildren,sickbabies,andhalf—growninnocents。Ah,myboy,thatwasadaytorememberallmylife,tomakemedoublygratefulformyblessings,andverygladtoservethehelplessandafflicted,asthatdearwomandid。"

ThelookandtonewithwhichthelastwordswereutteredeffectuallyturnedJack\'sthoughtsfromthegreatsecret,andstartedanothersmallone,forhefelltoplanningwhathewouldbuywithhispocket—moneytosurprisethelittlePatsandBiddieswhoweretohavenoChristmastree。

Chapter6Surprises"Isitpleasant？"wasthequestionJillaskedbeforeshewasfairlyawakeonChristmasmorning。

"Yes,dear;asbrightasheartcouldwish。Noweatabit,andthenI\'llmakeyounicefortheday\'spleasure。Ionlyhopeitwon\'tbetoomuchforyou,"answeredMrs。Pecq,bustlingabout,happy,yetanxious,forJillwastobecarriedovertoMrs。Minots,anditwasherfirstattemptatgoingoutsincetheaccident。

Itseemedasifnineoclockwouldnevercome,andJill,withwrapsallready,laywaitinginafeverofimpatienceforthedoctor\'svisit,ashewishedtosuperintendthemoving。Atlasthecame,foundallpromising,andhavingbundleduphissmallpatient,carriedher,withFrank\'shelp,inherchair—bedtotheox—sled,whichwasdrawntothenextdoor,andMissJilllandedintheBoysDenbeforeshehadtimetogeteithercoldortired。Mrs。

Minottookherthingsoffwithacordialwelcome,butJillneversaidaword,for,afteroneexclamation,shelaystaringabouther,dumbwithsurpriseanddelightatwhatshesaw。

Thegreatroomwasentirelychanged;fornowitlookedlikeagarden,oroneofthefairysceneschildrenlove,wherein—doorsandout—of—doorsarepleasantlycombined。Theceilingwaspaleblue,likethesky;thewallswerecoveredwithapaperlikearustictrellis,upwhichclimbedmorning—gloriessonaturallythatthemany—coloredbellsseemeddancinginthewind。Birdsandbutterfliesflewamongthem,andhereandthere,througharchesinthetrellis,oneseemedtolookintoasunnysummerworld,contrastingcuriouslywiththewintrylandscapelyingbeyondtherealwindows,festoonedwithevergreengarlands,andcurtainedonlybystandsoflivingflowers。Agreendruggetcoveredthefloorlikegrass,rusticchairsfromthegardenstoodabout,andinthemiddleoftheroomahandsomehemlockwaitedforitsprettyburden。AYule—logblazedonthewidehearth,andoverthechimney—piece,framedinholly,shonethewordsthatsetallheartstodancing,"MerryChristmas！"

"Doyoulikeit,dear？ThisisoursurpriseforyouandJack,andherewemeantohavegoodtimestogether,"saidMrs。Minot,whohadstoodquietlyenjoyingtheeffectofherwork。

"Oh,itissolovelyIdon\'tknowwhattosay！"andJillputupbotharms,aswordsfailedher,andgratefulkisseswereallshehadtooffer。

"Canyousuggestanythingmoretoaddtothepleasantness？"askedthegentlelady,holdingthesmallhandsinherown,andfeelingwellrepaidbythechild\'sdelight。

"OnlyJack";andJill\'slaughwasgoodtohear,assheglancedupwithmerry,yetwistfuleyes。

"Youareright。We\'llhavehiminatonce,orhewillcomehoppingononeleg";andawayhurriedhismother,laughing,too,forwhistles,shouts,thumps,andviolentdemonstrationsofallkindshadbeenheardfromtheroomwhereJackwasragingwithimpatience,whilehewaitedforhisshareofthesurprise。

Jillcouldhardlyliestillwhensheheardtherollofanotherchair—bedcomingdownthehail,itspassageenlivenedwithcriesof"Starboard！Port！Easynow！Pullaway！"fromRalphandFrank,astheysteeredtherecumbentColumbusonhisfirstvoyageofdiscovery。

"Well,Icallthathandsome！"wasJack\'sexclamation,whenthefullbeautyofthesceneburstuponhisview。Thenheforgotallaboutitandgaveawhoopofpleasure,fortherebesidethefirewasaneagerface,twohandsbeckoning,andJill\'svoicecrying,joyfully。

"I\'mhere！I\'mhere！Oh,docome,quick！"Downthelongroomrattledthechair,Jackcheeringalltheway,andbroughtupbesidetheotherone,asthelong—partedfriendsexclaimed,withoneaccord,"Isn\'tthisjolly！"

Itcertainlydidlookso,forRalphandFrankdancedawildsortoffandangoroundthetree,Dr。Whitingstoodandlaughed,whilethetwomothersbeamedfromthedoor—way,andthechildren,notknowingwhethertolaughortocry,compromisedthematterbyclappingtheirhandsandshouting,"MerryChristmastoeverybody！"likeapairoflittlemaniacs。

Thentheyallsobereddown,andthebusyoneswentofftothevariousdutiesoftheday,leavingtheyounginvalidstoreposeandenjoythemselvestogether。

"Howniceyoulook,"saidJill,whentheyhaddulyadmiredtheprettyroom。

"Sodoyou,"gallantlyreturnedJack,ashesurveyedherwithunusualinterest。

Theydidlookverynice,thoughhappinesswastheprincipalbeautifier。Jillworearedwrapper,withthemostbrilliantofallthenecklacessparklingatherthroat,overanicelycrimpedfrillhermotherhadmadeinhonoroftheday。Allthecurlyblackhairwasgatheredintoarednet,andapairofsmartlittlemoccasinscoveredthefeetthathadnotsteppedformanyawearyday。Jackwasnotsogay,buthadmadehimselfasfineascircumstanceswouldpermit。Agraydressing—gown,withbluecuffsandcollar,wasverybecomingtotheblondeyouth;animmaculateshirt,beststuds,sleeve—buttons,bluetie,andhandkerchiefwetwithcolognestickingoutofthebreast—pocket,gaveanairofeleganceinspiteoftheafghanspreadoverthelowerportionsofhismanlyform。Theyellowhairwasbrushedtillitshone,andbeingpartedinthemiddle,tohidetheblackpatch,madetwoengaginglittle"quiris"

onhisforehead。Thesummertanhadfadedfromhischeeks,buthiseyeswereasblueasthewintrysky,andnearlyeverywhitetoothwasvisibleashesmiledonhispartnerinmisfortune,sayingcheerily。

"I\'meversogladtoseeyouagain;guessweareovertheworstofitnow,andcanhavegoodtimes。Won\'titbefuntostayhereallthewhile,andamuseoneanother？"

"Yes,indeed;butonedayissoshort！ItwillbestupiderthaneverwhenIgohometo—night,"answeredJill,lookingaboutherwithlongingeyes。

"Butyouarenotgoinghometo—night;youaretostayeversolong。

Didn\'tMammatellyou？"

"No。Oh,howsplendid！AmIreally？WherewillIsleep？WhatwillMammydowithoutme？"andJillalmostsatup,shewassodelightedwiththenewsurprise。

"Thatroominthereisallfixedforyou。ImadeFranktellmesomuch。MammasaidImighttellyou,butI\'didn\'tthinkshewouldbeabletoholdinifshesawyoufirst。Yourmotheriscoming,too,andweareallgoingtohavelarkstogethertillweareThesplendorofthisarrangementtookJill\'sbreathaway,andbeforeshegotitagain,incameFrankandRalphwithtwoclothes—basketsoftreasurestobehunguponthetree。Whiletheywiredonthecandlesthechildrenaskedquestions,andfoundoutalltheywantedtoknowaboutthenewplansandpleasures。

\'Whofixedallthis？"

"Mammathoughtofit,andRalphandI\'didit。He\'sthemanforthissortofthing,youknow。Heproposedcuttingoutthearchesandstickingonbirdsandbutterfliesjustwheretheylookedbest。Iputthosecanariesoverthere,theylookedsowellagainsttheblue";

andFrankproudlypointedoutsomequeerorange—coloredfowls,lookingasiftheywerehavingfitsintheair,butveryeffective,nevertheless。

"YourmothersaidyoumightcallthistheBirdRoom。Wecaughtascarlet—tanagerforyoutobeginwith,didn\'twe,Jack？"andRalphthrewahon—honatJill,wholookedverylikeabrightlittlebirdinawarmnest。

"Goodforyou！Yes,andwearegoingtokeepherinthisprettycagetillwecanbothflyofftogether。Isay,Jill,whereshallwebeinourclasseswhenwedogetback？"andJack\'smerryfacefellatthethought。

"Atthefoot,ifwedon\'tstudyandkeepup。DoctorsaidImightstudysometimes,ifI\'dliestillaslongashethoughtbest,andMollybroughthomemybooks,andMerrysaysshewillcomeineverydayandtellmewherethelessonsare。Idon\'tmeantofallbehind,ifmybackboneiscracked,"saidJill,withadecidednodthatmadeseveralblackringsflyoutofthenettodanceonherforehead。

"FranksaidhedpullmealonginmyLatin,butI\'vebeenlazyandhaven\'tdoneathing。Let\'sgoatitandstartfairforNewYear,"

proposedJack,whodidnotlovestudyasthebrightgirldid,butwasashamedtofallbehindherinanything。

"Allright。Theyvebeenreviewing,sowecankeepupwhentheybegin,ifweworknextweek,whiletheresthaveaholiday。Oh,dear,Idomissschooldreadfully";andJillsighedfortheolddesk,everyblotandnotchofwhichwasdeartoher。

"Therecomeourthings,andprettynicetheylook,too,"saidJack;

andhismotherbegantodressthetree,hangingupthegayhorns,thegildednuts,redandyellowapplesandoranges,andfestooninglongstringsofpop—cornandscarletcranberriesfromboughtobough,withtheglitteringnecklaceshungwherethelightwouldshowtheircolorsbest。

"Ineversawsuchasplendidtreebefore。I\'mgladwecouldhelp,thoughwewereill。Isitalldonenow？"askedJill,whenthelastparcelwastiedonandeverybodystoodbacktoadmiretheprettysight。

"Onethingmore。Handmethatbox,Frank,andbeverycarefulthatyoufastenthisupfirmly,Ralph,"answeredMrs。Minot,asshetookfromitswrappingsthewaxenfigureofalittlechild。Therosylimbswereverylife—like,sowasthesmilingfaceunderthelocksofshininghair。Bothplumparmswereoutspreadasiftoscatterblessingsoverall,anddownywingsseemedtoflutterfromthedimpledshoulders,makinganangelofthebaby。

"IsitSt。Nicholas？"askedJill,whohadneverseenthatfamouspersonage,andknewbutlittleofChristmasfestivities。

"ItistheChrist—child,whosebirthdaywearecelebrating。IgotthebestIcouldfind,forIliketheideabetterthanoldSantaClaus;

thoughwemayhavehim,too,"saidMamma,holdingthelittleimagesothatbothcouldseeitwell。

"Itlookslikearealbaby";andJacktouchedtherosyfootwiththetipofhisfinger,asifexpectingacrowfromthehalf—openlips。

"ItremindsmeofthesaintsinthechapeloftheSacredHeartinMontreal。OnelittleSt。Johnlookedlikethis,onlyhehadalambinsteadofwings,"saidJill,strokingtheflaxenhair,andwishingshedaredaskforittoplaywith。

"Heisthechildren\'ssainttoprayto,love,andimitate,forheneverforgotthem,butblessedandhealedandtaughtthemallhislife。

Thisisonlyapoorimageoftheholiestbabyeverborn,butIhopeitwillkeephismemoryinyourmindsallday,becausethisisthedayforgoodresolutions,happythoughts,andhumbleprayers,aswellasplayandgiftsandfeasting。"

Whileshespoke,Mrs。Minot,touchingthelittlefigureastenderlyasifitwerealive,hadtiedabroadwhiteribbonroundit,and,handingittoRalph,badehimfastenittothehookabovethetree—top,whereitseemedtofloatasifthedownywingssupportedit。