I know that. I didn't half eatbreakfast, I was in such a hurry to see you, and know all about thesecrets. Frank kept saying I couldn't guess, that you had come,Jack and Jill lay silently watching, with a sweet sort of sobernessin their young faces, and for a moment the room was very still asall eyes looked up at the Blessed Child. The sunshine seemed togrow more golden as it flickered on the little head, the flamesglanced about the glittering tree as if trying to climb and kiss thebaby feet, and, without, a chime of bells rang sweetly, callingpeople to hear again the lovely story of the life begun on ChristmasDay.
Only a minute, but it did them good, and presently, when thepleasant work was over, and the workers gone, the boys to church,and Mamma to see about lunch for the invalids, Jack said, gravely,to Jill.
"I think we ought to be extra good, everyone is so kind to us, andwe are getting well, and going to have such capital times. Don't seehow we can do anything else to show we are grateful.""It isn't easy to be good when one is sick," said Jill, thoughtfully. "Ifret dreadfully, I get so tired of being still. I want to screamsometimes, but I don't, because it would scare Mammy, so I cry.
Do you cry, Jack?""Men never do. I want to tramp round when things bother me; but Ican t, so I kick and say, 'Hang it! and when I get very bad I pitchinto Frank, and he lets me. I tell you, Jill, he's a good brother!" andJack privately resolved then and there to invite Frank to take it outof him in any form he pleased as soon as health would permit.
"I rather think we shall grow good in this pretty place, for I don'tsee how we can be bad if we want to, it is all so nice and sort ofpious here," said Jill, with her eyes on the angel over the tree.
"A fellow can be awfully hungry, I know that. I'd idn't half eatbreakfast, I was in such a hurry to see you, and know all about thesecrets. Frank kept saying I couldn't guess, that you had come,and I never would be ready, till finally I got mad and fired an eggat him, and made no end of a mess."Jack and Jill went off into a gale of laughter at the idea ofdignified Frank dodging the egg that smashed on the wall, leavingan indelible mark of Jack's besetting sin, impatience.
Just then Mrs. Minot came in, well pleased to hear such pleasantsounds, and to see two merry faces, where usually one listless onemet her anxious eyes.
