The three gifts Patience gave Saint Lucy were courage , cheerfulness , and love , and with these one can work the sweetest miracles in the world , as you see , '' and Mrs. Minot pointed to the pretty room and its happy inmates . `` Am I really the least bit like that good Lucinda ? I tried to be , but I did n't think I was , '' asked Jill softly . `` You are very like her in all ways but one . She did not get well , and you will . '' A short answer , but it satisfied Jill to her heart 's core , and that night , when she lay in bed , she thought to herself : `` How curious it is that I 've been a sort of missionary without knowing it ! They all love and thank me , and wo n't let me go , so I suppose I must have done something , but I do n't know what , except trying to be good and pleasant . '' That was the secret , and Jill found it out just when it was most grateful as a reward for past efforts , most helpful as an encouragement toward the constant well-doing which can make even a little girl a joy and comfort to all who know and love her . Chapter XVI . Up at Merry 's `` Now fly round , child , and get your sweeping done up smart and early . '' `` Yes , mother . '' `` I shall want you to help me about the baking , by and by . '' `` Yes , mother . '' `` Roxy is cleaning the cellar-closets , so you 'll have to get the vegetables ready for dinner . Father wants a boiled dish , and I shall be so busy I ca n't see to it . '' `` Yes , mother . '' A cheerful voice gave the three answers , but it cost Merry an effort to keep it so , for she had certain little plans of her own which made the work before her unusually distasteful . Saturday always was a trying day , for , though she liked to see rooms in order , she hated to sweep , as no speck escaped Mrs. Grant 's eye , and only the good old-fashioned broom , wielded by a pair of strong arms , was allowed . Baking was another trial : she loved good bread and delicate pastry , but did not enjoy burning her face over a hot stove , daubing her hands with dough , or spending hours rolling out cookies for the boys ; while a `` boiled dinner '' was her especial horror , as it was not elegant , and the washing of vegetables was a job she always shirked when she could . However , having made up her mind to do her work without complaint , she ran upstairs to put on her dust-cap , trying to look as if sweeping was the joy of her life .
`` It is such a lovely XXXXX , I did want to rake my garden , and have a walk with Molly , and finish my book so I can get another , '' she said with a sigh , as she leaned out of the open window for a breath of the unusually mild air .
Father Jill Lucinda Minot XVI cellar-closets day dust-cap hours night