Thevioletswouldnotopentheirblueeyestillthesunshinewaswarmer,thecolumbinesrefusedtodancewiththeboisterouseastwind,thefernskeptthemselvesrolledupintheirbrownflanneljackets,andlittleHepatica,withmanyanotherspringbeauty,hidawayinthewoods,afraidtoventureout,inspiteoftheeagerwelcomeawaitingthem。Butthebirdshadcome,punctualasever,andthebluejayswerescreamingintheorchard,robinswereperkinguptheirheadsandtailsastheywenthouse—hunting,purplefinchesintheirlittleredhoodswerefeastingonthesprucebuds,andthefaithfulchipbirdschirpedgaylyonthegrapevinetrelliswheretheyhadlivedallwinter,warmingtheirlittlegraybreastsagainstthesouthernsideofthehousewhenthesunshone,andhidingundertheevergreenboughswhenthesnowfell。
\"Thattreeisasortofbird\'shotel,\"saidJill,lookingoutatthetallsprucebeforeherwindow,everyspraynowtippedwithasoftgreen。\"Theyallgotheretosleepandeat,andithasroomforeveryone,Itisgreenwhenothertreesdie,thewindcan\'tbreakit,andthesnowonlymakesitlookprettier。Itsingstome,andnodsasifitknewIlovedit。\"
\"Wemightcallit\'TheHollyTreeInn,\'assomeofthecheapeating—housesforpoorpeoplearecalledinthecity,asmyhollybushgrowsatitsfootforasign。Youcanbethelandlady,andfeedyourfeatherycustomerseveryday,tillthehardtimesareover,\"
saidMrs。Minot,gladtoseethechild\'senjoymentoftheouterworldfromwhichshehadbeenshutsolong。
Jilllikedthefancy,andgladlystrewedcrumbsonthewindowledgeforthechippies,whocameconfidinglytoeatalmostfromherhand。Shethrewoutgrainforthehandsomejays,thejauntyrobins,andtheneighbors\'doves,whocamewithsoftflighttotripaboutontheirpinkfeet,archingtheirshiningnecksastheycooedandpecked。Carrotsandcabbage—leavesalsoflewoutofthewindowforthemaraudinggrayrabbit,lastofallJack\'shalf—dozen,wholedhimawearylifeofitbecausetheywouldnotstayintheBunny—house,butunderminedthegardenwiththeirburrows,atetheneighbors\'plants,andrefusedtobecaughttillallbutoneranaway,toJack\'sgreatrelief。Thisoldfellowcampedoutforthewinter,andseemedtogetonverywellamongthecatsandthehens,whosharedtheirstoreswithhim,andhemightbeseenatallhoursofthedayandnightscamperingabouttheplace,orkickinguphisheelsbymoonlight,forhewasadesperatepoacher。
Jilltookgreatdelightinherprettypensioners,whosoonlearnedtolove\"TheHollyTreeInn,\"andtofeelthattheBirdRoomheldacagedcomrade;for,whenitwastoocoldorwettoopenthewindows,thedovescameandtappedatthepane,thechippiessatontheledgeinplumplittlebunchesasifsheweretheirsunshine,thejayscalledherintheirshrillvoicestoringthedinner—bell,andtherobinstiltedonthespruceboughswherelunchwasalwaystobehad。
ThefirstofMaycameonSunday,soallthecelebratingmustbedoneonSaturday,whichhappilyprovedfair,thoughtoochillyformuslingowns,papergarlands,andpicnicsondampgrass。Beingaholiday,theboysdecidedtodevotethemorningtoballandtheafternoontotheflowerhunt,whilethegirlsfinishedthebaskets;
andintheeveningourparticularsevenweretomeetattheMinotstofillthem,readyfortheclosingfrolicofhangingondoor—handles,ringingbells,andrunningaway。
\"NowImustdomyMaying,fortherewillbenomoresunshine,andIwanttopickmyflowersbeforeitisdark。Come,Mammy,yougotoo,\"saidJill,asthelastsunbeamsshoneinatthewesternwindowwhereherhyacinthsstoodthatnofosteringraymightbelost。
Itwasratherpathetictoseetheoncemerrygirlwhousedtobethelifeofthewood—partiesnowcarefullyliftingherselffromthecouch,and,leaningonhermother\'sstrongarm,slowlytakethehalf—dozenstepsthatmadeupherlittleexpedition。Butshewashappy,andstoodsmilingoutatoldBunskippingdownthewalk,thegold—edgedcloudsthatdrewapartsothatasunbeamtiiightgiveheragood—nightkissasshegatheredherlong—cherisheddaisies,primroses,andhyacinthstofilltheprettybasketinherhand。
\"Whoisitfor,mydeane？\"askedhermother,standingbehindherasaprop,whilethethinfingersdidtheirworksowillinglythatnot~aflowerwasleft。
\"ForMyLady,ofcourse。WhoelsewouldIgivemyposiesto,whenIlovethemsowell？\"answeredJill,whothoughtnonametoofinefortheirbestfriend。
\"IfancieditwouldbeforMasterJack,\"saidhermother,wishingtheexcursiontobeacheerfulone。
\"I\'veanotherforhim,butshemusthavetheprettiest。Heisgoingtohangitforme,andringandrunaway,andshewon\'tknowwhoit\'sfromtillsheseesthis。Shewillrememberit,forI\'vebeenturningandtendingiteversolong,tomakeitbloomto—day。Isn\'titabeauty？\"andJillheldupherfinesthyacinth,whichseemedtoringitspalepinkbellsasifgladtocarryitssweetmessagefromagratefullittleheart。
\"Indeeditis;andyouarerighttogiveyourbesttoher。Comeawaynow,youmustnotstandanylonger。ComeandrestwhileIfetchadishtoputtheflowersintillyouwantthem\";andMrs。PecqturnedherroundwithhersmallMayingsafelydone。
\"Ididn\'tthinkI\'deverbeabletodoevensomuch,andhereIamwalkingandsittingup,andgoingtodrivesomeday。Isn\'titnicethatI\'mnottobeapoorLucindaafterall？\"andJilldrewalongsighofreliefthatsixmonthsinsteadoftwentyyearswouldprobablybetheendofhercaptivity。
\"Yes,thankHeaven！Idon\'tthinkIcouldhavebornethat\";andthemothertookJillinherarmsasifshewereababy,holdinghercloseforaminute,andlayingherdownwithatenderkissthatmadethearmsclingaboutherneckasherlittlegirlreturneditheartily,forallsortsofnew,sweetfeelingsseemedtobebuddinginboth,bornofgreatjoyandthankfulness。
ThenMrs。Pecqhurriedawaytoseeaboutteaforthehungryboys,andJillwatchedthepleasanttwilightdeepenasshelaysingingtoherselfoneofthesongsherfriendtaughtherbecauseitfittedhersowell。
\"AlittlebirdIam,Shutfromthefieldsofair,AndinmycageIsitandsingToHimwhoplacedmethere:
Wellpleasedaprisonertobe,Because,myGod,itpleasesThee！
\"NaughthaveIelsetodo;
Isingthewholedaylong;
AndHewhommostIlovetopleaseDothlistentomysong,Hecaughtandboundmywanderingwing,ButstillHebendstohearmesing。\"
\"Nowwearereadyforyou,sobringonyourflowers,\"saidMollytotheboys,assheandMerryaddedtheirstoreofbasketstothegayshowJillhadsetforthonthelongtablereadyfortheevening\'swork。
\"Theywouldn\'tletmeseeone,butIguesstheyhavehadgoodluck,theylooksojolly,\"answeredJill,lookingatGus,Frank,andJack,whostoodlaughing,eachwithalargebasketinhishands。
\"Fairtomiddling。Justlookinandsee\";withwhichcheerfulremarkGustippeduphisbasketanddisplayedafewbitsofgreenatthebottom。
\"I\'didbetter。Now,don\'tallscreamatonceoverthesebeauties\";
andFrankshookoutsomeevergreensprigs,halfadozensaxifrages,andtwoorthreeforlornvioletswithhardlyanystems。
\"Idon\'tbrag,buthere\'sthebestofallthethree,\"chuckledJack,producingabunchoffeatherycarrot—tops,withafewhalf—shutdandelionstryingtolookbraveandgay。
\"Oh,boys,isthatall？\"
\"Whatshallwedo？\"
\"We\'veonlyafewhouse—flowers,andallthosebasketstofill,\"
criedthegirls,indespair;forMerry\'scontributionhadbeensmall,andMollyhadonlyahandfulofartificialflowers\"tofillup,\"shesaid。
\"Itisn\'tourfault:itisthelatespring。Wecan\'tmakeflowers,canwe？\"askedFrank,inatoneofcalmresignation。
\"Couldn\'tyoubuysome,then？\"saidMolly,smoothinghercrumpledmorning—glories,withasigh。
\'Whoeverheardofafellowhavinganymoneyleftthelastdayofthemonth？\"demandedGus,severely。
\"Orgirlseither。Ispentallmineinribbonandpaperformybaskets,andnowtheyareofnouse。It\'sashame！\"lamentedJill,whileMerrybegantothinoutherfullbasketstofilltheemptyones。
\"Holdon！\"criedFrank,relenting。\"Now,Jack,maketheirmindseasybeforetheybegintoweepandwail。\"
\"Lefttheboxoutside。YoutellwhileIgoforit\";andJackbolted,asifafraidtheyoungladiesmightbetoodemonstrativewhenthetalewastold。
\"Tellaway,\"saidFrank,modestlypassingthestoryalongtoGus,whomadeshortworkofit。
\"Werampagedalloverthecountry,andgotonlythatsmallmessofgreens。Knewyou\'dbedisgusted,andsatdowntoseewhatwecoulddo。ThenJackpipedup,andsaidhe\'dshowusaplacewherewecouldgetaplenty。\'Comeon,\'saidwe,andafterleadingusanicetramp,hebroughtusoutatMorse\'sgreenhouse。
Sowegotafewontick,aswehadbutfourcentsamongus,andthereyouare。Prettycleverofthelittlechap,wasn\'tit？\"
AchorusofdelightgreetedJackashepoppedhisheadin,waspromptlyseizedbyhiseldersandwalkeduptothetable,wheretheboxwasopened,displayinggayposiesenoughtofillmostofthebasketsifdistributedwithgreateconomyandmuchgreen。
\"Youarethedearestboythateverwas！\"beganJill,withhernoseluxuriouslyburiedinthebox,thoughtheflowersweremoreremarkableforcolorthanperfume。
\"No,I\'mnot;there\'samuchdeareronecomingupstairsnow,andhe\'sgotsomethingthatwillmakeyouhowlforjoy,\"saidJack,ignoringhisownprowessasEdcameinwithabiggerbox,lookingasifhehaddonenothingbutgoaMayingallhisdays。
\"Don\'tbelieveit！\"criedJill,huggingherowntreasurejealously。
\"It\'soniyanotherjoke。Iwon\'tlook,\"saidMolly,stillstrugglingtomakehercambricrosesbloomagain。
\"Iknowwhatitis！Oh,howsweet！\"addedMerry,sniffing,asEdsettheboxbeforeher,sayingpleasantly,\"Youshallseefirst,becauseyouhadfaith。\"
Upwentthecover,andawhiffofthefreshestfragranceregaledtheseveneagernosesbenttoinhaleit,asageneralmurmurofpleasuregreetedthenestofgreat,rosymayflowersthatlaybeforethem。
\"Thedearthings,howlovelytheyare！\"andMerrylookedasifgreetinghercousins,sobloomingandsweetwasherownface。
Mollypushedherdingygarlandsaway,ashamedofsuchpoorattemptsbesidetheseperfectworksofnature,andJillstretchedoutherhandinvoluntarily,asshesaid,forgettingherexotics,\"Givemejustonetosmellof,itissowoodsyanddelicious。\"
\"Hereyouare,plentyforall。RealPilgrimFathers,rightfromPlymouth。Oneofourfellowslivesthere,andItoldhimtobringmeagoodlot;sohedid,andyoucandowhatyoulikewiththem,\"
explainedEd,passingroundbunchesandshakingtherestinamossypileuponthetable。
\"Edalwaysgetsaheadofusindoingtherightthingattherighttime。Hopeyou\'vegotsomefirst—classbasketsreadyforhim,\"saidGus,refreshingtheWashingtoniannosewithapinkblossomortwo。
\"Notmuchdangerofhisbeingforgotten,\"answeredMolly;andeveryonelaughed,forEdwasmuchbelovedbyallthegirls,andhisdoor—stepsalwaysbloomedlikeaflower—bedonMayeve。
\"Nowwemustflyroundandfillup。Come,boys,sortoutthegreenandhandustheflowersaswewantthem。Thenwemustdirectthem,and,bythetimethatisdone,youcangoandleavethem,\"
saidJill,settingalltowork。
\"Edmustchoosehisbasketsfirst。Theseareours;butanyofthoseyoucanhave\";andMollypointedtoadetachmentofgaybaskets,setapartfromthosealreadypartlyfilled。
Edchoseablueone,andMerryfilleditwiththerosiestmay—flowers,knowingthatitwastohangonMabel\'sdoor—handle。
Theothersdidthesame,andtheprettyworkwenton,withmuchfun,tillallwerefilled,andreadyforthenamesornotes。
\"Letushavepoetry,aswecan\'tgetwildflowers。Thatwillberatherfine,\"proposedJill,wholikedjingles。
Allhadhadsomepracticeatthegameparties,andpencilswentbrisklyforafewminutes,whilesilencereigned,asthepoetsrackedtheirbrainsforrhymes,andstaredatthebloomingarraybeforethemforinspiration。
\"Oh,dear！Ican\'tfindawordtorhymeto\'geranium,\'\"sighedMolly,pullingherbraid,asiftopumpthewellofherfancydry。
\"Cranium,\"saidFrank,whowasgettingonbravelywith\"Annette\"
and\"violet。\"
\"Thatiselegant！\"andMollyscribbledawayingreatglee,forherpoemswerealwaysfunnyones。
\"Howdoyouspellanemoly——thewildflower,Imean？\"askedJill,whowastryingtocomposeaveryappropriatepieceforherbestbasket,andfounditeasiertofeelloveandgratitudethantoputthemintoverse。
\"Anemone;dospellitproperly,oryou\'llgetlaughedat,\"answeredGus,wildlystrugglingtomakehislinesexpressgreatardor,withoutbeing\"toospoony,\"asheexpressedit。
\"No,Ishouldn\'t。Thispersonneverlaughsatotherpersons\'
mistakes,assomepersonsdo,\"repliedJill,withdignity。
Jackwasdesperatelychewinghispencil,forhecouldnotgetonatall;butEdhadevidentlypreparedhispoem,forhispaperwashalffullalready,andMerrywassmilingasshewroteafriendlylineortwoforRalph\'sbasket,asshefearedhewouldbeforgotten,andknewhelovedkindnessevenmorethanhedidbeauty。
\"Nowlet\'sreadthem,\"proposedMolly,wholovedtolaughevenatherself。
Theboyspolitelydeclined,andscrambledtheirnotesintothechosenbasketsingreathaste;butthegirlswerelessbashful。Jillwasinvitedtobegin,andgaveherlittlepiece,withthepinkhyacinthbasketbeforeher,toillustrateherpoem。
\"TOMYLADY
\"Therearenoflowersinthefields,Nogreenleavesonthetree,Nocolumbines,noviolets,Nosweetanemone。
SoIhavegatheredfrommypotsAllthatIhavetofillThebasketthatIhangto—night,WithheapsoflovefromJill。\"
\"That\'sperfectlysweet！Mineisn\'t;butImeantittobefunny,\"saidMolly,asiftherecouldbeanydoubtaboutthefollowingditty:
\"DearGrif,HereisawhiffOfbeautifulspringflowers;
ThebigredroseIsforyournose,Astowardtheskyittowers。
\"Oh,donoifrownUponthiscrownOfgreenpinksandbluegeraniumButthinkofmeWhenthisyousee,Andputitonyourcranium。\"
\"OMolly,youwillneverhearthelastofthatifGrifgetsit,\"saidJill,astheapplausesubsided,fortheboyspronouncedit\"tip—top。\"
\"Don\'tcare,hegetstheworstofitanyway,forthereisapininthatrose,andifhegoestosmellthemayflowersunderneathhewillfindathorntopayforthetackheputinmyrubberboot。Iknowhewillplaymesomejoketo—night,andImeantobefirstifIcan,\"
answeredMolly,settlingtheartificialwreathroundtheorange—coloredcanoewhichheldhereffusion。
\"Now,Merry,readyours:youalwayshavesweetpoems\";andJillfoldedherhandstolistenwithpleasuretosomethingsentimental。
\"Ican\'treadthepoemsinsomeofmine,becausetheyareforyou;
butthislittleverseyoucanhear,ifyoulike:I\'mgoingtogivethatbaskettoRalph。Hesaidheshouldhangoneforhisgrandmother,andIthoughtthatwassoniceofhim,I\'dlovetosurprisehimwithonealltohimself。He\'salwayssogoodtous\";andMerrylookedsoinnocentlyearnestthatnoonesmiledatherkindthoughtortheunconsciousparaphraseshehadmadeofafamousstanzainherown\"littleverse。\"
\"ToonewhoteachesmeThesweetnessandthebeautyOfdoingfaithfullyAndcheerfullymyduty。\"
\"Hewilllikethat,andknowwhosentit,fornoneofushaveprettypinkpaperbutyou,orwritesuchaneleganthand,\"saidMolly,admiringthedelicatewhitebasketshapedlikealily,withtheflowersinsideandthenotehiddenamongthem,alldaintilytiedupwiththepalestblush—coloredribbon。
\"Well,that\'snoharm。HelikesprettythingsasmuchasI\'do,andI
mademybasketlikeaflowerbecauseIgavehimoneofmycallas,headmiredtheshapesomuch\";andMerrysmiledassherememberedhowpleasedRalphlookedashewentawaycarryingthelovelything。
\"Ithinkitwouldbeagoodplantohangsomebasketsonthedoorsofotherpeoplewhodon\'texpectoroftenhaveany。I\'lldoitifyoucansparesomeofthese,wehavesomany。Givemeonlyone,andlettheothersgotooldMrs。Tucker,andthelittleIrishgirlwhohasbeensicksolong,andlameNeddy,andDaddyMunson。Itwouldpleaseandsurprisethemso。Willwe？\"askedEd,inthatpersuasivevoiceofhis。
Allagreedatonce,andseveralpeopleweremadeveryhappybyabitofspringleftattheirdoorsbytheMayelveswhohauntedthetownthatnightplayingallsortsofpranks。Suchatwangingofbellsandrappingofknockers;suchascamperingoffeetinthedark;suchdrollcollisionsasboyscameracingroundcorners,orgirlsranintooneanother\'sarmsastheycreptupanddownstepsonthesly;suchlaughing,whistling,flyingaboutofflowersandfriendlyfeeling——itwasalmostapitythatMay—daydidnotcomeoftener。
Mollygothomelate,andfoundthatGrifhadbeenbeforeher,afterall;forshestumbledoveramarket—basketatherdoor,andontakingitinfoundamammothnosegayofpurpleandwhitecabbages,herfavoritevegetable。EvenMissBatlaughedatthefunnysight,andMollyresolvedtogetRalphtocarveherabouquetoutofcarrots,beets,andturnipsfornexttime,asGrifwouldneverthinkofthat。
Merryranupthegarden—walkalone,forFrankleftheratthegate,andwasfumblingforthelatchwhenshefeltsomethinghangingthere。Openingthedoorcarefully,shefounditgaywithofferingsfromhermates;andamongthemwasonelongquiver—shapedbasketofbirchbark,withsomethingheavyunderthegreenleavesthatlayatthetop。Liftingthese,aslenderhas—reliefofacallalilyinplasterappeared,withthiscoupletslippedintothebluecordbywhichitwastohang:
\"ThatmercyyoutoothersshowThatMercyGranttome。\"
\"Howlovely！andthisonewillneverfade,butalwaysbeapleasurehangingthere。Now,Ireallyhavesomethingbeautifulallmyown,\"saidMerrytoherselfassheranuptohangtheprettythingonthedarkwainscotofherroom,wherethegracefulcurveofitspointedleavesandthedepthofitswhitecupwouldbeajoytohereyesaslongastheylasted。
\"Iwonderwhatthatmeans,\"andMerryreadoverthelinesagain,whileasoftcolorcameintohercheeksandalittlesmileofgirlishpleasurebegantodimpleroundherlips;forshewassoromantic,thistouchofsentimentshowedherthatherfriendshipwasmorevaluedthanshedreamed。Butsheonlysaid,\"HowgladIamI
rememberedhim,andhowsurprisedhewillbetoseemayflowersinreturnforthelily。\"
Hewas,andworkedawaymorehappilyandbravelyforthethoughtofthelittlefriendwhoseeyeswoulddailyfallonthewhiteflowerwhichalwaysremindedhimofher。
Chapter19GoodTemplars\"Hithere！Bell\'srung！Getup,lazy—bones！\"calledFrankfromhisroomastheclockstrucksixonebrightmorning,andagreatcreakingandstampingproclaimedthathewasastir。
\"Allright,I\'mcoming,\"respondedadrowsyvoice,andJackturnedoverasiftoobey;buttheretheeffortended,andhewasoffagain,forgrowingladsarehardtorouse,asmanyamotherknowstohersorrow。
Frankmadeabeginningonhisowntoilet,andthentookalookathisbrother,forthestillnesswassuspicious。
\"Ithoughtso！Hetoldmetowakehim,andIguessthiswilldoit\";
and,fillinghisgreatspongewithwater,Frankstalkedintothenextroomandstoodovertheunconsciousvictimlikeasternexecutioner,gladtounitebusinesswithpleasureinthisagreeablemanner。
Awomanwouldhaverelentedandtriedsomemildermeans,forwhenhisbroadshouldersandstoutlimbswerehidden,Jacklookedveryyoungandinnocentinhissleep。EvenFrankpausedamomenttolookattheround,rosyface,thecurlyeyelashes,half—openmouth,andthepeacefulexpressionofadreamingbaby。
\"Imustdoit,orhewon\'tbereadyforbreakfast,\"saidtheSpartanbrother,anddowncamethesponge,cold,wet,andchoky,asitwasbrisklyrubbedtoandfroregardlessofeveryobstacle。
\"Come,Isay！That\'snotfair！Leavemealone！\"sputteredJack,hittingoutsovigorouslythatthespongeflewacrosstheroom,andFrankfellbacktolaughattheindignantsufferer。
\"Ipromisedtowakeyou,andyoubelieveinkeepingpromises,soI\'mdoingmybesttogetyouup。\"
\"Well,youneedn\'tpouraquartofwaterdownafellow\'sneck,andrubhisnoseoff,needyou？I\'mawake,sotakeyouroldspongeandgoalong,\"growledJack,withoneeyeopenandamightygape。
\"Seethatyoukeepso,then,orI\'llcomeandgiveyouanothersortofarouser,\"saidFrank,retiringwell—pleasedwithhissuccess。
\"Ishallhaveonegoodstretch,ifIlike。Itisstrengtheningtothemuscles,andI\'masstiffasaboardwithallthatfootballyesterday,\"murmuredJack,lyingdownforonedeliciousmoment。
Heshuttheopeneyetoenjoyitthoroughly,andforgotthestretchaltogether,forthebedwaswarm,thepillowsoft,andahalf—finisheddreamstillhungabouthisdrowsybrain。Whodoesnotknowthefatalcharmofthatstolenmoment——foronceyieldtoit,andoneislost。
Jackwasmilesaway\"inthetwinklingofabedpost,\"andthepleasingdreamseemedabouttoreturn,whenaruthlesshandtoreofftheclothes,swepthimoutofbed,andhereallydidawaketofindhimselfstandinginthemiddleofhisbath—panwithbothwindowsopen,andFrankabouttopourapailofwateroverhim。
\"Holdon！Yah,howcoldthewateris！Why,IthoughtIwasup\";
and,hoppingout,JackrubbedhiseyesandlookedaboutwithsuchagenuinesurprisethatFrankputdownthepail,feelingthatthedelugewouldnotbeneededthistime。
\"Youarenow,andI\'llseethatyoukeepso,\"hesaid,ashestrippedthebedandcarriedoffthepillows。
\"Idon\'tcare。Whatajollyday！\"andJacktookalittlepromenadetofinishtherousingprocess。
\"You\'dbetterhurryup,oryouwon\'tgetyourchoresdonebeforebreakfast。Notimeforagoasyoupleasenow,saidFrank;andbothboyslaughed,foritwasanoldjokeoftheirs,andratherfunny。
GoinguptobedonenightexpectingtofindJackasleep,Frankdiscoveredhimtrampingroundandroundtheroomairilyattiredinatowel,andsodizzywithhisbriskrevolutionsthatashisbrotherlookedhetumbledoverandlaypantinglikeafallengladiator。
\"Whatonearthareyouabout？\"
\"PlayingRowell。Walkingforthebelt,andI\'vegotittoo,\"laughedJack,pointingtoanoldgiltchandelierchainhangingonthebedpost。
\"Youlittlenoodle,you\'dbetterrevolveintobedbeforeyouloseyourheadentirely。Ineversawsuchafellowfortakinghimselfoffhislegs。\"
\"Well,ifIdidn\'texercise,doyousupposeIshouldbeabletodothat——orthat？\"criedJack,turningasomersaultandstrikingafineattitudeashecameup,flatteringhimselfthathewasthemodelofayouthfulathlete。
\"Youlookmorelikeaclothes—pinthanaHercules,\"wasthecrushingreplyofthisunsympatheticbrother,andJackmeeklyretiredwithabadheadache。
\"Idon\'tdosuchsillythingsnow:I\'masbroadacrosstheshouldersasyouare,andtwiceasstrongonmypins,thankstomygymnastics。BetyouacentI\'llbedressedfirst,thoughyouhavegotthestart,\"saidJack,knowingthatFrankalwayshadaprotractedwrestlewithhiscollar—buttons,whichgavehisadversaryagreatadvantageoverhim。
\"Done！\"answeredFrank,andatittheywent。AwildscramblewasheardinJack\'sroom,andasteadytrampintheotherasFrankworkedawayatthestiffcollarandtheunaccommodatingbuttontilleveryfingerached。Aclashingofbootsfollowed,whileJackwhistled\"PollyHopkins,\"andFrankdeclaimedinhisdeepestvoice,\"Armavirumquecano,TrojaequiprimusaborisItaliam,fatoprofugus,Laviniaquevenitlitora。\"
Hair—brushescamenext,andhereFrankgotahead,forJack\'sthickcropwouldstandstraightuponthecrown,andonlyagoodwettingandasteadybrushwouldmakeitliedown。
\"Playaway,No。2calledoutfrankasheputonhisvest,whileJackwasstillatitwithapairofthestiffestbrushesprocurableformoney。
\"Holdhard,No。11,anddon\'tforgetyourteeth,\"answeredJack,whohaddonehis。
Franktookahastyrubandwhiskedonhiscoat,whileJackwaspickingupthevarioustreasureswhichhadflownoutofhispocketsashecaughtuphisroundabout。
\"Ready！I\'lltroubleyouforacent,sonny\";andFrankheldouthishandasheappearedequippedfortheday。
\"Youhaven\'thungupyournight—gown,norairedthebed,noropenedthewindows。That\'spartofthedressing;mothersaidso。
I\'vegotyouthere,foryoudidallthatforme,exceptthis,\"andJackthrewhisgownoverachairwithatriumphantflourishasFrankturnedbacktoleavehisroomintheorderwhichtheyhadbeentaughtwasoneofthesignsofagoodbringing—upinboysaswellasgirls。
\"Ready！I\'lltroubleyouforacent,oldman\";andJackheldouthishand,withachuckle。
Hegotthemoneyandagoodclapbeside;thentheyretiredtotheshedtoblacktheirboots,afterwhichFrankfilledthewoodboxesandJacksplitkindlings,tillthedailyallowancewasready。Bothwentattheirlessonsforhalfanhour,Jackscowlingoverhisalgebrainthesofacorner,whileFrank,withhiselbowsonandhislegsroundthelittlestandwhichheldhisbooks,seemedtobehavingawrestling—matchwithHerodotus。
Whenthebellrangtheyweregladtodropthelessonsandfallupontheirbreakfastwiththeappetiteofwolves,especiallyJack,whosequesteredoatmealandmilkwithsuchrapiditythatonewouldhavethoughthehadaleathernbaghiddensomewheretoslipitinto,likehisfamousnamesakewhenhebreakfastedwiththegiant。
\"IdeclareIdon\'tseewhathedoeswithit！Hereallyoughtnotto\'gobble\'so,mother,\"saidFrank,whowaseatingwithgreatdeliberationandpropriety。
\"Neveryoumind,oldquiddle。I\'msohungryIcouldtuckawayabushel,\"answeredJack,emptyingaglassofmilkandholdingouthisplateformoremush,regardlessofhiswhitemoustache。
\"Temperanceinallthingsiswise,inspeechaswellaseatinganddrinking——rememberthat,boys,\"saidMammafrombehindtheurn。
\"Thatremindsme！Wepromisedtodothe\'Observer\'thisweek,andhereitisTuesdayandIhaven\'tdoneathing:haveyou？\"askedFrank。
\"Neverthoughtofit。Wemustlookupsomebitsatnooninstead0fplaying。DaresayJillhasgotsome:shealwayssavesallshefindsforme。\"
\"Ihaveoneortwogooditems,andcandoanycopyingtheremaybe。ButIthinkifyouundertakethepaperyoushouldgivesometimeandlabortomakeitgood,\"saidMamma,whowasusedtothisstateofaffairs,andofteneditedthelittlesheetreadeveryweekattheLodge。Theboysseldommissedgoing,butthebusyladywasoftenunabletobethere,sohelpedwiththepaperashershareofthelabor。