I will ; your eyrie suits me : but do n't expect me to call in the daytime . I 'm on duty then , and ca n't take my eye off my charge . The city needs a deal of watching , my dear . Bless me ! it 's striking eight . Your watch is seven minutes slow by the Old South . Good-night , good-night ! ' And as I opened the window , the great bird soared away like a flash of light through the storm , leaving me so astonished at the whole performance that I have n't got over it yet . TILLY 'S CHRISTMAS . ` I 'm so glad to-morrow is Christmas , because I 'm going to have lots of presents . ' ` So am I glad , though I do n't expect any presents but a pair of mittens . ' ` And so am I ; but I sha n't have any presents at all . ' As the three little girls trudged home from school they said these things , and as Tilly spoke , both the others looked at her with pity and some surprise , for she spoke cheerfully , and they wondered how she could be happy when she was so poor she could have no presents on Christmas . ` Do n't you wish you could find a purse full of money right here in the path ? ' said Kate , the child who was going to have ` lots of presents . ' ` Oh , do n't I , if I could keep it honestly ! ' and Tilly 's eyes shone at the very thought . ` What would you buy ? ' asked Bessy , rubbing her cold hands , and longing for her mittens . ` I 'd buy a pair of large , warm blankets , a load of wood , a shawl for mother , and a pair of shoes for me ; and if there was enough left , I 'd give Bessy a new hat , and then she need n't wear Ben 's old felt one , ' answered Tilly .
The girls laughed at that ; but XXXXX pulled the funny hat over her ears , and said she was much obliged but she 'd rather have candy .
Ben Bessy Kate South Tilly daytime eyrie left minutes storm