cried Jill , bound to carry her point , though not at all clear what vertebrae were . `` Pooh ! Girls always faint . Men are braver , and I did n't faint a bit in spite of all that horrid agony . '' `` You howled ; Frank told me so . Doctor said I was a brave girl , so you need n't brag , for you 'll have to go on a crutch for a while . I know that . '' `` You may have to use two of them for years , may be . I heard the doctor tell my mother so . I shall be up and about long before you will . Now then ! '' Both children were getting excited , for the various pleasures of the day had been rather too much for them , and there is no knowing but they would have added the sad surprise of a quarrel to the pleasant ones of the day , if a cheerful whistle had not been heard , as Ralph came in to light the candles and give the last artistic touches to the room . `` Well , young folks , how goes it ? Had a merry time so far ? '' he asked , as he fixed the steps and ran up with a lighted match in his hand . `` Very nice , thank you , '' answered a prim little voice from the dusk below , for only the glow of the fire filled the room just then . Jack said nothing , and two red sulky faces were hidden in the dark , watching candle after candle sputter , brighten , and twinkle , till the trembling shadows began to flit away like imps afraid of the light . `` Now he will see my face , and I know it is cross , '' thought Jill , as Ralph went round the last circle , leaving another line of sparks among the hemlock boughs . Jack thought the same , and had just got the frown smoothed out of his forehead , when Frank brought a fresh log , and a glorious blaze sprung up , filling every corner of the room , and dancing over the figures in the long chairs till they had to brighten whether they liked it or not . Presently the bell began to ring and gay voices to sound below : then Jill smiled in spite of herself as Molly Loo 's usual cry of `` Oh , dear , where is that child ? ''
reached her , and XXXXX could not help keeping time to the march Ed played , while Frank and Gus marshalled the procession .
Doctor Frank Jack Jill Loo Pooh Ralph fire hemlock imps