They 've been reviewing , so we can keep up when they begin , if we work next week , while the rest have a holiday . Oh , dear , I do miss school dreadfully ; '' and Jill sighed for the old desk , every blot and notch of which was dear to her . `` There come our things , and pretty nice they look , too , '' said Jack ; and his mother began to dress the tree , hanging up the gay horns , the gilded nuts , red and yellow apples and oranges , and festooning long strings of pop-corn and scarlet cranberries from bough to bough , with the glittering necklaces hung where the light would show their colors best . `` I never saw such a splendid tree before . I 'm glad we could help , though we were ill . Is it all done now ? '' asked Jill , when the last parcel was tied on and everybody stood back to admire the pretty sight . `` One thing more . Hand me that box , Frank , and be very careful that you fasten this up firmly , Ralph , '' answered Mrs. Minot , as she took from its wrappings the waxen figure of a little child . The rosy limbs were very life-like , so was the smiling face under the locks of shining hair . Both plump arms were outspread as if to scatter blessings over all , and downy wings seemed to flutter from the dimpled shoulders , making an angel of the baby . `` Is it St. Nicholas ? '' asked Jill , who had never seen that famous personage , and knew but little of Christmas festivities . `` It is the Christ-child , whose birthday we are celebrating . I got the best I could find , for I like the idea better than old Santa Claus ; though we may have him , too , '' said Mamma , holding the little image so that both could see it well . `` It looks like a real baby ; '' and Jack touched the rosy foot with the tip of his finger , as if expecting a crow from the half-open lips . `` It reminds me of the saints in the chapel of the Sacred Heart in Montreal . One little St. John looked like this , only he had a lamb instead of wings , '' said Jill , stroking the flaxen hair , and wishing she dared ask for it to play with . `` He is the children 's saint to pray to , love , and imitate , for he never forgot them , but blessed and healed and taught them all his life . This is only a poor image of the holiest baby ever born , but I hope it will keep his memory in your minds all day , because this is the day for good resolutions , happy thoughts , and humble prayers , as well as play and gifts and feasting . ''
While she spoke , Mrs. Minot , touching the little figure as tenderly as if it were alive , had tied a broad white ribbon round it , and , handing it to XXXXX , bade him fasten it to the hook above the tree-top , where it seemed to float as if the downy wings supported it .
Christ-child Claus Jack Jill John Mamma Nicholas Ralph pop-corn wrappings