`` Well , dear , you have n't far to look for as nice a little heathen as you 'd wish ; '' and Mrs. Pecq glanced at Boo , who sat on the floor staring hard at them , attracted by the dread word `` crocodile . '' He had a cold and no handkerchief , his little hands were red with chilblains , his clothes shabby , he had untidy darns in the knees of his stockings , and a head of tight curls that evidently had not been combed for some time . `` Yes , I know he is , and I try to keep him decent , but I forget , and he hates to be fixed , and Miss Bat does n't care , and father laughs when I talk about it . '' Poor Molly Loo looked much ashamed as she made excuses , trying at the same time to mend matters by seizing Boo and dusting him all over with her handkerchief , giving a pull at his hair as if ringing bells , and then dumping him down again with the despairing exclamation : `` Yes , we 're a pair of heathens , and there 's no one to save us if I do n't . '' That was true enough ; for Molly 's father was a busy man , careless of everything but his mills , Miss Bat was old and lazy , and felt as if she might take life easy after serving the motherless children for many years as well as she knew how . Molly was beginning to see how much amiss things were at home , and old enough to feel mortified , though , as yet , she had done nothing to mend the matter except be kind to the little boy . `` You will , my dear , '' answered Mrs. Pecq , encouragingly , for she knew all about it . `` Now you 've each got a mission , let us see how well you will get on . 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 XXXXX 's part , for she knew Jack liked the pretty sisters , whose gentle manners made her own wild ways seem all the more blamable .
Ca Jack Jill Pecq darns fortnight heathens month week years