We waited and watched at the window . The valley was full of mist , and the rain was coming down in slanting lines over the tops of the spruces . But as we waited the clouds broke away and the sun came out flashingly ; the drops on the spruce boughs glittered like diamonds . `` I do n't believe Jerry can be coming , '' said Cecily in despair . `` I suppose his mother must have thought it was dreadful , after all , to sell such a picture . '' `` There he is now ! '' cried Dan , waving excitedly from the window . `` He 's carrying a fish-basket , '' said Felicity . `` You surely do n't suppose he would bring THAT picture in a fish-basket ! '' Jerry HAD brought it in a fish-basket , as appeared when he mounted the granary stairs shortly afterwards . It was folded up in a newspaper packet on top of the dried herring with which the basket was filled . We paid him his money , but we would not open the packet until he had gone . `` Cecily , '' said Felicity in a hushed tone . `` You are the best of us all . YOU open the parcel . '' `` Oh , I 'm no gooder than the rest of you , '' breathed Cecily , `` but I 'll open it if you like . '' With trembling fingers Cecily opened the parcel . We stood around , hardly breathing . She unfolded it and held it up . We saw it .
Suddenly Sara began XXXXX cry .
With as at if in like of over than to