I heard the boys doing their steps when I went in last evening to find out whether Jack liked blue or yellow best , so I could put the bow on his pen-wiper , '' declared Merry , knitting briskly away at the last of the pair of pretty white bed-socks she was making for Jill right under her inquisitive little nose . `` They would n't have a party of that kind without Jack and me . It is only an extra nice tree , you see if it is n't , '' answered Jill from behind the pillows which made a temporary screen to hide the toilet mats she was preparing for all her friends . `` Every one of you is wrong , and you 'd better rest easy , for you wo n't find out the best part of it , try as you may . '' And Mrs. Pecq actually chuckled as she , too , worked away at some bits of muslin , with her back turned to the very unsocial-looking group . `` Well , I do n't care , we 've got a secret all our own , and wo n't ever tell , will we ? '' cried Jill , falling back on the Home Missionary Society , though it was not yet begun . `` Never ! '' answered the girls , and all took great comfort in the idea that one mystery would not be cleared up , even at Christmas . Jack gave up guessing , in despair , after he had suggested a new dining-room where he could eat with the family , a private school in which his lessons might go on with a tutor , or a theatre for the production of the farces in which he delighted . `` It is going to be used to keep something in that you are very fond of , '' said Mamma , taking pity on him at last . `` Ducks ? '' asked Jack , with a half pleased , half puzzled air , not quite seeing where the water was to come from . Frank exploded at the idea , and added to the mystification by saying , -- `` There will be one little duck and one great donkey in it . '' Then , fearing he had told the secret , he ran off , quacking and braying derisively . `` It is to be used for creatures that I , too , am fond of , and you know neither donkeys nor ducks are favorites of mine , '' said Mamma , with a demure expression , as she sat turning over old clothes for the bundles that always went to poor neighbors , with a little store of goodies , at this time of the year . `` I know ! I know ! It is to be a new ward for more sick folks , is n't it , now ? '' cried Jack , with what he thought a great proof of shrewdness .
`` I do n't see how I could attend to many more patients till this one is off my hands , '' answered XXXXX , with a queer smile , adding quickly , as if she too was afraid of letting the cat out of the bag : `` That reminds me of a Christmas I once spent among the hospitals and poor-houses of a great city with a good lady who , for thirty years , had made it her mission to see that these poor little souls had one merry day .
Frank Jack Mamma Missionary Pecq bed-socks donkeys pen-wiper right shrewdness