Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott

Frank, and let’s have a lark.”

No sooner said than done. Gus took the tarts, Joe the doughnuts,

Ed the jelly, and Frank suggested “spoons all round” for the Italian

cream. A few trifles in the way of custard, fruit, and wafer biscuits

were not worth mentioning; but every dish was soon emptied, and

Jack said, as he surveyed the scene of devastation with great

satisfaction,

“Call again to-morrow, gentlemen, and we will have another bout.

Free lunches at ~ P.M. till further notice. Now tell me all the

news.”

For half an hour, five tongues went like mill clappers, and there is

no knowing when they would have stopped if the little bell had not

suddenly rung with a violence that made them jump.

“That’s Jill; see what she wants, Frank”; and while his brother sent

off the basket, Jack told about the new invention, and invited his

mates to examine and admire.

They did so, and shouted with merriment when the next despatch

from Jill arrived. A pasteboard jumping-jack, with one leg done up

in cotton-wool to preserve the likeness, and a great lump of

molasses candy in a brown paper, with accompanying note:

“Dear Sir-I saw the boys go in, and know you are having a nice

time, so I send over the candy Molly Loo and Merry brought me.

Mammy says I can’t eat it, and it will all melt away if I keep it.

Also a picture of Jack Minot, who will dance on one leg and

waggle the other, and make you laugh. I wish I could come, too.

Don’t you hate grewel? I’do. In haste,

J.P. ”

“Let’s all send her a letter,” proposed Jack, and out came pens, ink,

paper, and the lamp, and everyone fell to scribbling. A droll

collection was the result, for Frank drew a picture of the fatal fall

with broken rails flying in every direction, Jack with his head

swollen to the size of a balloon, and Jill in two pieces, while the

various boys and girls were hit off with a sly skill that gave Gus

legs like a stork, Molly Loo hair several yards long, and Boo a

series of visible howls coming out of an immense mouth in the

shape of o s. The oxen were particularly good, for their horns

branched like those of the moose, and Mr. Grant had a patriarchal

beard which waved in the breeze as he bore the wounded girl to a

sled very like a funeral pyre, the stakes being crowned with big

mittens like torches.

“You ought to be an artist. I never saw such a dabster as you are.

That’s the very moral of Joe, all in a bunch on the fence, with a

blot to show how purple his nose was,” said Gus, holding up the

sketch for general criticism and admiration.

“I’d rather have a red nose than legs like a grasshopper; so you

needn’t twit, Daddy,” growled Joe, quite unconscious that a blot

actually did adorn his nose, as he labored over a brief despatch.

The boys enjoyed the joke, and one after the other read out his

message to the captive lady:

“Dear Jill-Sorry you ain’t here. Great fun. Jack pretty lively. Laura

and Lot would send love if they knew of the chance. Fly round and

get well.

Gus”

“Dear Gilliflower-Hope you are pretty comfortable in your

‘dungeon cell. Would you like a serenade when the moon comes?

Hope you will soon be up again, for we miss you very much. Shall

be very happy to help in anyway I can. Love to your mother. Your

true friend,

E.D.”

“Miss Pecq.

“Dear Madam-I am happy to tell you that we are all well, and hope

you are the same. I gave Jem Cox a licking because he went to

your desk. You had better send for your books. You won’t have to

pay for the sled or the fence. Jack says he will see to it. We have

been having a spread over here. First-rate things. I wouldn’t mind

breaking a leg, if I had such good grub and no chores to do. No

more now, from yours, with esteem,

Joseph P. Flint”

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