We can do so little for our neighbours , I am glad to cheer the way for them . Now put these poor old shoes to dry , and go to bed , dearie ; I 'll come soon . ' Tilly went , taking her bird with her to sleep in his basket near by , lest he should be lonely in the night . Soon the little house was dark and still , and no one saw the Christmas spirits at their work that night . When Tilly opened the door next morning , she gave a loud cry , clapped her hands , and then stood still ; quite speechless with wonder and delight . There , before the door , lay a great pile of wood , all ready to burn , a big bundle and a basket , with a lovely nosegay of winter roses , holly , and evergreen tied to the handle . ` Oh , mother ! did the fairies do it ? ' cried Tilly , pale with her happiness , as she seized the basket , while her mother took in the bundle . ` Yes , dear , the best and dearest fairy in the world , called `` Charity . '' She walks abroad at Christmas time , does beautiful deeds like this , and does not stay to be thanked , ' answered her mother with full eyes , as she undid the parcel . There they were , -- the warm , thick blankets , the comfortable shawls , the new shoes , and , best of all , a pretty winter hat for Bessy . The basket was full of good things to eat , and on the flowers lay a paper , saying , -- ` For the little girl who loves her neighbour as herself . ' ` Mother , I really think my bird is a fairy bird , and all these splendid things come from him , ' said Tilly , laughing and crying with joy . It really did seem so , for as she spoke , the robin flew to the table , hopped to the nosegay , and perching among the roses , began to chirp with all his little might . The sun streamed in on flowers , bird , and happy child , and no one saw a shadow glide away from the window ; no one ever knew that Mr. King had seen and heard the little girls the night before , or dreamed that the rich neighbour had learned a lesson from the poor neighbour . And Tilly 's bird was a fairy bird ; for by her love and tenderness to the helpless thing , she brought good gifts to herself , happiness to the unknown giver of them , and a faithful little friend who did not fly away , but stayed with her till the snow was gone , making summer for her in the winter-time . MY LITTLE GENTLEMAN . No one would have thought of calling him so , this ragged , barefooted , freckle-faced Jack , who spent his days carrying market-baskets for the butcher , or clean clothes for Mrs. Quinn , selling chips , or grubbing in the ash-heaps for cinders . But he was honestly earning his living , doing his duty as well as he knew how , and serving those poorer and more helpless than himself , and that is being a gentleman in the best sense of that fine old word .
He had no home but Mrs. XXXXX 's garret ; and for this he paid by carrying the bundles and getting the cinders for her fire .
Bessy King Mother Quinn Tilly ash-heaps before market-baskets neighbour night