Now Tessa had not a penny in the world , and did n't know how to get one , for all the father 's earnings had to go for food , fire , and rent . ` If there were only fairies , ah ! how heavenly that would be ; for then I should tell them all I wish , and , pop ! behold the fine things in my lap ! ' said Tessa to herself . ' I must earn the money ; there is no one to give it to me , and I can not beg . But what can I do , so small and stupid and shy as I am ? I must find some way to give the little ones a nice Christmas . I must ! I must ! ' and Tessa pulled her long hair , as if that would help her think . But it did n't , and her heart got heavier and heavier ; for it did seem hard that in a great city full of fine things , there should be none for poor Nono , Sep , and little Speranza . Just as Tessa 's tears began to tumble off her eyelashes on to her brown cheeks , the cricket began to chirp . Of course , he did n't say a word ; but it really did seem as if he had answered her question almost as well as a fairy ; for , before he had piped a dozen shrill notes , an idea popped into Tessa 's head -- such a truly splendid idea that she clapped her hands and burst out laughing . ` I 'll do it ! I 'll do it ! if father will let me , ' she said to herself , smiling and nodding at the fire . ` Tommo will like to have me go with him and sing , while he plays his harp in the streets . I know many songs , and may get money if I am not frightened ; for people throw pennies to other little girls who only play the tambourine . Yes , I will try ; and then , if I do well , the little ones shall have a Merry Christmas . '
So full of her plan was XXXXX that she ran upstairs at once , and asked Tommo if he would take her with him on the morrow .
Merry Nono Sep Speranza Tessa Tommo fire heart money one