before he was rolled away , gaping as he went . Jill soon found herself tucked up in the great white bed she was to share with her mother , and lay looking about the pleasant chamber , while Mrs. Pecq ran home for a minute to see that all was safe there for the night . After the merry din the house seemed very still , with only a light step now and then , the murmur of voices not far away , or the jingle of sleigh-bells from without , and the little girl rested easily among the pillows , thinking over the pleasures of the day , too wide-awake for sleep . There was no lamp in the chamber , but she could look into the pretty Bird Room , where the fire-light still shone on flowery walls , deserted tree , and Christ-child floating above the green . Jill 's eyes wandered there and lingered till they were full of regretful tears , because the sight of the little angel recalled the words spoken when it was hung up , the good resolution she had taken then , and how soon it was broken . `` I said I could n't be bad in that lovely place , and I was a cross , ungrateful girl after all they 've done for Mammy and me . Poor Jack was hurt the worst , and he was brave , though he did scream . I wish I could go and tell him so , and hear him say , ` All right . ' Oh , me , I 've spoiled the day ! '' A great sob choked more words , and Jill was about to have a comfortable cry , when someone entered the other room , and she saw Frank doing something with a long cord and a thing that looked like a tiny drum . Quiet as a bright-eyed mouse , Jill peeped out wondering what it was , and suspecting mischief , for the boy was laughing to himself as he stretched the cord , and now and then bent over the little object in his hand , touching it with great care . `` May be it 's a torpedo to blow up and scare me ; Jack likes to play tricks . Well , I 'll scream loud when it goes off , so he will be satisfied that I 'm dreadfully frightened , '' thought Jill , little dreaming what the last surprise of the day was to be . Presently a voice whispered , -- `` I say ! Are you awake ? '' `` Yes . '' `` Any one there but you ? '' `` No . '' `` Catch this , then . Hold it to your ear and see what you 'll get . ''
The little drum came flying in , and , catching it , XXXXX , with some hesitation , obeyed Frank 's order .
Christ-child Frank Jack Jill Mammy fire-light minute night right sleigh-bells