Jill threw her mother a kiss , feeling very grown up and elegant to be dining out in such style . Then they drank every one 's health with much merriment , till Frank declared that Jack would float off on the deluge of water he splashed about in his enthusiasm , and Mamma proposed a rest after the merry-making . `` Now the best fun is coming , and we have not long to wait , '' said the boy , when naps and rides about the room had whiled away the brief interval between dinner and dusk , for the evening entertainment was to be an early one , to suit the invalids ' bedtime . `` I hope the girls will like their things . I helped to choose them , and each has a nice present . I do n't know mine , though , and I 'm in a twitter to see it , '' said Jill , as they lay waiting for the fun to begin . `` I do ; I chose it , so I know you will like one of them , any way . '' `` Have I got more than one ? '' `` I guess you 'll think so when they are handed down . The bell was going all day yesterday , and the girls kept bringing in bundles for you ; I see seven now , '' and Jack rolled his eyes from one mysterious parcel to another hanging on the laden boughs . `` I know something , too . That square bundle is what you want ever so much . I told Frank , and he got it for his present . It is all red and gold outside , and every sort of color inside ; you 'll hurrah when you see it . That roundish one is yours too ; I made them , '' cried Jill , pointing to a flat package tied to the stem of the tree , and a neat little roll in which were the blue mittens that she had knit for him . `` I can wait ; '' but the boy 's eyes shone with eagerness , and he could not resist firing two or three pop-corns at it to see whether it was hard or soft . `` That barking dog is for Boo , and the little yellow sled , so Molly can drag him to school , he always tumbles down so when it is slippery , '' continued Jill , proud of her superior knowledge , as she showed a small spotted animal hanging by its tail , with a red tongue displayed as if about to taste the sweeties in the horn below . `` Do n't talk about sleds , for mercy 's sake ! I never want to see another , and you would n't , either , if you had to lie with a flat-iron tied to your ankle , as I do , '' said Jack , with a kick of the well leg and an ireful glance at the weight attached to the other that it might not contract while healing . `` Well , I think plasters , and liniment , and rubbing , as bad as flat-irons any day .
I do n't believe you have ached half so much as I have , though it sounds worse to break legs than to sprain your back , '' protested XXXXX , eager to prove herself the greater sufferer , as invalids are apt to be .
Jack Jill Molly evening flat-iron flat-irons merry-making sled sweeties twitter