Keep it secret , if you like , and report once a week . I 'll be a member , and we 'll do great things yet . '' `` We wo n't begin till after Christmas ; there is so much to do , we never shall have time for any more . Do n't tell , and we 'll start fair at New Year 's , if not before , '' said Jill , taking the lead as usual . Then they went on with the gay ladies , who certainly were heathen enough in dress to be in sad need of conversion , -- to common-sense at least . `` I feel as if I was at a party , '' said Jill , after a pause occupied in surveying her gallery with great satisfaction , for dress was her delight , and here she had every conceivable style and color . `` Talking of parties , is n't it too bad that we must give up our Christmas fun ? Ca n't get on without you and Jack , so we are not going to do a thing , but just have our presents , '' said Merry , sadly , as they began to fit different heads and bodies together , to try droll effects . `` I shall be all well in a fortnight , I know ; but Jack wo n't , for it will take more than a month to mend his poor leg . May be they will have a dance in the boys ' big room , and he can look on , '' suggested Jill , with a glance at the dancing damsel on the wall , for she dearly loved it , and never guessed how long it would be before her light feet would keep time to music again . `` You 'd better give Jack a hint about the party . Send over some smart ladies , and say they have come to his Christmas ball , '' proposed audacious Molly Loo , always ready for fun . So they put a preposterous green bonnet , top-heavy with plumes , on a little lady in yellow , who sat in a carriage ; the lady beside her , in winter costume of velvet pelisse and ermine boa , was fitted to a bride 's head with its orange flowers and veil , and these works of art were sent over to Jack , labelled `` Miss Laura and Lotty Burton going to the Minots ' Christmas ball , '' -- a piece of naughtiness on Jill 's part , for she knew Jack liked the pretty sisters , whose gentle manners made her own wild ways seem all the more blamable . No answer came for a long time , and the girls had almost forgotten their joke in a game of Letters , when `` Tingle , tangle ! '' went the bell , and the basket came in heavily laden . A roll of colored papers was tied outside , and within was a box that rattled , a green and silver horn , a roll of narrow ribbons , a spool of strong thread , some large needles , and a note from Mrs. Minot : -- `` Dear Jill , -- I think of having a Christmas tree so that our invalids can enjoy it , and all your elegant friends are cordially invited . Knowing that you would like to help , I send some paper for sugar-plum horns and some beads for necklaces . They will brighten the tree and please the girls for themselves or their dolls . Jack sends you a horn for a pattern , and will you make a ladder-necklace to show him how ? Let me know if you need anything .
`` Yours in haste , `` Anna Minot '' `` She knew what the child would like , bless her kind heart , '' said Mrs. Pecq to herself , and something brighter than the most silvery bead shone on Jack 's shirt-sleeve , as she saw the rapture of XXXXX over the new work and the promised pleasure .
' Burton Ca Jack Jill Minot Tingle fortnight ladder-necklace month