`` Yes , dear ; as bright as heart could wish . Now eat a bit , and then I 'll make you nice for the day 's pleasure . I only hope it wo n't be too much for you , '' answered Mrs. Pecq , bustling about , happy , yet anxious , for Jill was to be carried over to Mrs. Minot 's , and it was her first attempt at going out since the accident . It seemed as if nine o'clock would never come , and Jill , with wraps all ready , lay waiting in a fever of impatience for the doctor 's visit , as he wished to superintend the moving . At last he came , found all promising , and having bundled up his small patient , carried her , with Frank 's help , in her chair-bed to the ox-sled , which was drawn to the next door , and Miss Jill landed in the Boys ' Den before she had time to get either cold or tired . Mrs. Minot took her things off with a cordial welcome , but Jill never said a word , for , after one exclamation , she lay staring about her , dumb with surprise and delight at what she saw . The great room was entirely changed ; for now it looked like a garden , or one of the fairy scenes children love , where in-doors and out-of-doors are pleasantly combined . The ceiling was pale blue , like the sky ; the walls were covered with a paper like a rustic trellis , up which climbed morning-glories so naturally that the many-colored bells seemed dancing in the wind . Birds and butterflies flew among them , and here and there , through arches in the trellis , one seemed to look into a sunny summer world , contrasting curiously with the wintry landscape lying beyond the real windows , festooned with evergreen garlands , and curtained only by stands of living flowers . A green drugget covered the floor like grass , rustic chairs from the garden stood about , and in the middle of the room a handsome hemlock waited for its pretty burden . A Yule-log blazed on the wide hearth , and over the chimney-piece , framed in holly , shone the words that set all hearts to dancing , `` Merry Christmas ! '' `` Do you like it , dear ? This is our surprise for you and Jack , and here we mean to have good times together , '' said Mrs. Minot , who had stood quietly enjoying the effect of her work . `` Oh , it is so lovely I do n't know what to say ! '' and Jill put up both arms , as words failed her , and grateful kisses were all she had to offer . `` Can you suggest anything more to add to the pleasantness ? '' asked the gentle lady , holding the small hands in her own , and feeling well repaid by the child 's delight . `` Only Jack ; '' and Jill 's laugh was good to hear , as she glanced up with merry , yet wistful eyes . `` You are right . We 'll have him in at once , or he will come hopping on one leg ; '' and away hurried his mother , laughing , too , for whistles , shouts , thumps , and violent demonstrations of all kinds had been heard from the room where Jack was raging with impatience , while he waited for his share of the surprise .
XXXXX could hardly lie still when she heard the roll of another chair-bed coming down the hall , its passage enlivened with cries of `` Starboard !
Frank Jill Minot Pecq accident drugget garlands hemlock o'clock trellis