`` I think I can afford to dress my girl as well as Grant does his . Get a new hat and coat , child , and any little notions you fancy . Miss Bat 's economy is n't the sort I like ; '' and Mr. Bemis looked at his wristbands again , as if he could sympathize with Molly 's elbows . `` At this rate , I shall have more clothes than I know what to do with , after being a rag-bag , '' thought the girl , in great glee , as she bravely stitched away at the worst glove , while her father smoked silently for a while , feeling that several little matters had escaped his eye which he really ought to `` see about . '' Presently he went to his desk , but not to bury himself in business papers , as usual , for , after rummaging in several drawers , he took out a small bunch of keys , and sat looking at them with an expression only seen on his face when he looked up at the portrait of a dark-eyed woman hanging in his room . He was a very busy man , but he had a tender place in his heart for his children ; and when a look , a few words , a moment 's reflection , called his attention to the fact that his little girl was growing up , he found both pride and pleasure in the thought that this young daughter was trying to fill her mother 's place , and be a comfort to him , if he would let her . `` Molly , my dear , here is something for you , '' he said ; and when she stood beside him , added , as he put the keys into her hand , keeping both in his own for a minute , -- `` Those are the keys to your mother 's things . I always meant you to have them , when you were old enough to use or care for them . I think you 'll fancy this better than any other present , for you are a good child , and very like her . '' Something seemed to get into his throat there , and Molly put her arm round his neck , saying , with a little choke in her own voice , `` Thank you , father , I 'd rather have this than anything else in the world , and I 'll try to be more like her every day , for your sake . '' He kissed her , then said , as he began to stir his papers about , `` I must write some letters . Run off to bed , child . Good-night , my dear , good-night . '' Seeing that he wanted to be alone , Molly slipped away , feeling that she had received a very precious gift ; for she remembered the dear , dead mother , and had often longed to possess the relics laid away in the one room where order reigned and Miss Bat had no power to meddle . As she slowly undressed , she was not thinking of the pretty new gowns in which she was to be `` as gay as a butterfly , '' but of the half-worn garments waiting for her hands to unfold with a tender touch ; and when she fell asleep , with the keys under her pillow and her arms round Boo , a few happy tears on her cheeks seemed to show that , in trying to do the duty which lay nearest her , she had earned a very sweet reward . So the little missionaries succeeded better in their second attempt than in their first ; for , though still very far from being perfect girls , each was slowly learning , in her own way , one of the three lessons all are the better for knowing -- that cheerfulness can change misfortune into love and friends ; that in ordering one 's self aright one helps others to do the same ; and that the power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely . Chapter XVIII . May Baskets Spring was late that year , but to Jill it seemed the loveliest she had ever known , for hope was growing green and strong in her own little heart , and all the world looked beautiful . With the help of the brace she could sit up for a short time every day , and when the air was mild enough she was warmly wrapped and allowed to look out at the open window into the garden , where the gold and purple crocuses were coming bravely up , and the snowdrops nodded their delicate heads as if calling to her , -- `` Good day , little sister , come out and play with us , for winter is over and spring is here . '' `` I wish I could ! ''
thought XXXXX , as the soft wind kissed a tinge of color into her pale cheeks .
Bat Bemis Grant Jill Molly XVIII day rag-bag second year