`` We rampaged all over the country , and got only that small mess of greens . Knew you 'd be disgusted , and sat down to see what we could do . Then Jack piped up , and said he 'd show us a place where we could get a plenty . ` Come on , ' said we , and after leading us a nice tramp , he brought us out at Morse 's greenhouse . So we got a few on tick , as we had but four cents among us , and there you are . Pretty clever of the little chap , was n't it ? '' A chorus of delight greeted Jack as he popped his head in , was promptly seized by his elders and walked up to the table , where the box was opened , displaying gay posies enough to fill most of the baskets if distributed with great economy and much green . `` You are the dearest boy that ever was ! '' began Jill , with her nose luxuriously buried in the box , though the flowers were more remarkable for color than perfume . `` No , I 'm not ; there 's a much dearer one coming upstairs now , and he 's got something that will make you howl for joy , '' said Jack , ignoring his own prowess as Ed came in with a bigger box , looking as if he had done nothing but go a Maying all his days . `` Do n't believe it ! '' cried Jill , hugging her own treasure jealously . `` It 's only another joke . I wo n't look , '' said Molly , still struggling to make her cambric roses bloom again . `` I know what it is ! Oh , how sweet ! '' added Merry , sniffing , as Ed set the box before her , saying pleasantly , -- `` You shall see first , because you had faith . '' Up went the cover , and a whiff of the freshest fragrance regaled the seven eager noses bent to inhale it , as a general murmur of pleasure greeted the nest of great , rosy mayflowers that lay before them . `` The dear things , how lovely they are ! '' and Merry looked as if greeting her cousins , so blooming and sweet was her own face .
XXXXX pushed her dingy garlands away , ashamed of such poor attempts beside these perfect works of nature , and Jill stretched out her hand involuntarily , as she said , forgetting her exotics , `` Give me just one to smell of , it is so woodsy and delicious . ''
Ed Jack Jill Merry Molly cents days first mayflowers posies