按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
each was slowly learning； in her own way； one of the three lessons
all are the better for knowingthat cheerfulness can change
misfortune into love and friends； that in ordering one's self aright
one helps others to do the same； and that the power of finding
beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely。
Chapter 18 May Baskets
Spring was late that year； but to Jill it seemed the loveliest she had
ever known； for hope was growing green and strong in her own
little heart； and all the world looked beautiful。 With the help of the
brace she could sit up for a short time every day； and when the air
was mild enough she was warmly wrapped and allowed to look out
at the open window into the garden； where the gold and purple
crocuses were coming bravely up； and the snowdrops nodded their
delicate heads as if calling to her；
〃Good day； little sister； come out and play with us； for winter is
over and spring is here。〃
〃I wish I could！〃 thought Jill； as the soft wind kissed a tinge of
color into her pale cheeks。 〃Never mind； they have been shut up in
a darker place than I for months； and had no fun at all； I won't fret；
but think about July and the seashore while I work。〃
The job now in hand was May baskets； for it was the custom of the
children to hang them on the doors of their friends the night before
May…day； and the girls had agreed to supply baskets if the boys
would hunt for flowers； much the harder task of the two。 Jill had
more leisure as well as taste and skill than the other girls； so she
amused herself with making a goodly store of pretty baskets of all
shapes； sizes； and colors； quite confident that they would be filled；
though not a flower had shown its head except a few hardy
dandelions； and here and there a small cluster of saxifrage。
The violets would not open their blue eyes till the sunshine was
warmer； the columbines refused to dance with the boisterous east
wind； the ferns kept themselves rolled up in their brown flannel
jackets； and little Hepatica； with many another spring beauty； hid
away in the woods； afraid to venture out； in spite of the eager
welcome awaiting them。 But the birds had come； punctual as ever；
and the bluejays were screaming in the orchard； robins were
perking up their heads and tails as they went house…hunting； purple
finches in their little red hoods were feasting on the spruce buds；
and the faithful chip birds chirped gayly on the grapevine trellis
where they had lived all winter； warming their little gray breasts
against the southern side of the house when the sun shone； and
hiding under the evergreen boughs when the snow fell。
〃That tree is a sort of bird's hotel；〃 said Jill； looking out at the tall
spruce before her window； every spray now tipped with a soft
green。 〃They all go there to sleep and eat； and it has room for
everyone； It is green when other trees die； the wind can't break it；
and the snow only makes it look prettier。 It sings to me； and nods
as if it knew I loved it。〃
〃We might call it 'The Holly Tree Inn；' as some of the cheap
eating…houses for poor people are called in the city； as my holly
bush grows at its foot for a sign。 You can be the landlady； and feed
your feathery customers every day； till the hard times are over；〃
said Mrs。 Minot； glad to see the child's enjoyment of the outer
world from which she had been shut so long。
Jill liked the fancy； and gladly strewed crumbs on the window
ledge for the chippies； who came confidingly to eat almost from
her hand。 She threw out grain for the handsome jays； the jaunty
robins； and the neighbors' doves； who came with soft flight to trip
about on their pink feet； arching their shining necks as they cooed
and pecked。 Carrots and cabbage…leaves also flew out of the
window for the marauding gray rabbit； last of all Jack's half…dozen；
who led him a weary life of it because they would not stay in the
Bunny…house； but undermined the garden with their burrows； ate
the neighbors' plants； and refused to be caught till all but one ran
away； to Jack's great relief。 This old fellow camped out for the
winter； and seemed to get on very well among the cats and the
hens； who shared their stores with him； and he might be seen at all
hours of the day and night scampering about the place； or kicking
up his heels by moonlight； for he was a desperate poacher。
Jill took great delight in her pretty pensioners； who soon learned to
love 〃The Holly Tree Inn；〃 and to feel that the Bird Room held a
caged comrade； for； when it was too cold or wet to open the
windows； the doves came and tapped at the pane； the chippies sat
on the ledge in plump little bunches as if she were their sunshine；
the jays called her in their shrill voices to ring the dinner…bell； and
the robins tilted on the spruce boughs where lunch was always to
be had。
The first of May came on Sunday； so all the celebrating must be
done on Saturday； which happily proved fair； though too chilly for
muslin gowns； paper garlands； and picnics on damp grass。 Being a
holiday； the boys decided to devote the morning to ball and the
afternoon to the flower hunt； while the girls finished the baskets；
and in the evening our particular seven were to meet at the Minots
to fill them； ready for the closing frolic of hanging on
door…handles； ringing bells； and running away。
〃Now I must do my Maying； for there will be no more sunshine；
and I want to pick my flowers before it is dark。 Come； Mammy；
you go too；〃 said Jill； as the last sunbeams shone in at the western
window where her hyacinths stood that no fostering ray might be
lost。
It was rather pathetic to see the once merry girl who used to be the
life of the wood…parties now carefully lifting herself from the
couch； and； leaning on her mother's strong arm； slowly take the
half…dozen steps that made up her little expedition。 But she was
happy； and stood smiling out at old Bun skipping down the walk；
the gold…edged clouds that drew apart so that a sunbeam tiiight
give her a good…night kiss as she gathered her long…cherished
daisies； primroses； and hyacinths to fill the pretty basket in her
hand。
〃Who is it for； my deane？〃 asked her mother； standing behind her
as a prop； while the thin fingers did their work so willingly that
not~a flower was left。
〃For My Lady； of course。 Who else would I give my posies to；
when I love them so well？〃 answered Jill； who thought no name
too fine for their best friend。
〃I fancied it would be for Master Jack；〃 said her mother； wishing
the excursion to be a cheerful one。
〃I've another for him； but she must have the prettiest。 He is going
to hang it for me； and ring and run away； and she won't know who
it's from till she sees this。 She will remember it； for I've been
turning and tending it ever so long； to make it bloom to…day。 Isn't it
a beauty？〃 and Jill held up her finest hyacinth； which seemed to
ring its pale pink bell