Well , I will begin ; and I 'll be so good , folks wo n't know me . Being sick makes naughty children behave in story-books , I 'll see if live ones ca n't ; '' and Jill put on such a sanctified face that the girls laughed and asked for their missions also , thinking they would be the same . `` You , Merry , might do a deal at home helping mother , and setting the big brothers a good example . One little girl in a house can do pretty much as she will , especially if she has a mind to make plain things nice and comfortable , and not long for castles before she knows how to do her own tasks well , '' was the first unexpected reply . Merry colored , but took the reproof sweetly , resolving to do what she could , and surprised to find how many ways seemed open to her after a few minutes ' thought . `` Where shall I begin ? I 'm not afraid of a dozen crocodiles after Miss Bat ; '' and Molly Loo looked about her with a fierce air , having had practice in battles with the old lady who kept her father 's house . `` 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 XXXXX , 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 .
Bat Jill Loo Molly Pecq darns first heathens minutes years