But Tommo shook his curly head , and answered , soberly , ` Yes , I took you there first , for they love music , and are of our country ; but up among the great houses we shall not always do well . The people there are busy or hard or idle , and care nothing for harps and songs . Do not skip and laugh too soon ; for the day is long , and we have but twelve pennies yet . ' Tessa walked more quietly , and rubbed her cold hands , feeling that the world was a very big place , and wondering how the children got on at home without the little mother . Till noon they did not earn much , for every one seemed in a hurry , and the noise of many sleigh-bells drowned the music . Slowly they made their way up to the great squares where the big houses were , with fine ladies and pretty children at the windows . Here Tessa sung all her best songs , and Tommo played as fast as his fingers could fly ; but it was too cold to have the windows open , so the pretty children could not listen long , and the ladies tossed out a little money , and soon went back to their own affairs . All the afternoon the two friends wandered about , singing and playing , and gathering up their small harvest . At dusk they went home , Tessa so hoarse she could hardly speak , and so tired she fell asleep over her supper . But she had made half a dollar , for Tommo divided the money fairly , and she felt rich with her share . The other days were very much like this ; sometimes they made more , sometimes less , but Tommo always ` went halves ; ' and Tessa kept on , in spite of cold and weariness , for her plans grew as her earnings increased , and now she hoped to get useful things , instead of candy and toys alone . On the day before Christmas she made herself as tidy as she could , for she hoped to earn a good deal . She tied a bright scarlet handkerchief over the old hood , and the brilliant color set off her brown cheeks and bright eyes , as well as the pretty black braids of her hair . Tommo 's mother lent her a pair of boots so big that they turned up at the toes , but there were no holes in them , and Tessa felt quite elegant in whole boots . Her hands were covered with chilblains , for she had no mittens ; but she put them under her shawl , and scuffled merrily away in her big boots , feeling so glad that the week was over , and nearly three dollars safe in her pocket . How gay the streets were that day ! how brisk every one was , and how bright the faces looked , as people trotted about with big baskets , holly-wreaths , and young evergreens going to blossom into splendid Christmas trees ! ` If I could have a tree for the children , I 'd never want anything again . But I ca n't ; so I 'll fill the socks all full , and be happy , ' said Tessa , as she looked wistfully into the gay stores , and saw the heavy baskets go by . ` Who knows what may happen if we do well ? '
returned XXXXX , nodding wisely , for he had a plan as well as Tessa , and kept chuckling over it as he trudged through the mud .
Tessa Tommo days dollars drowned evergreens first harps holly-wreaths noon