Jack got a hearty kiss with the neatly covered book, and Mamma
loved him for the little sacrifice more than if he had won a prize at
school. He did get a reward, for, in five minutes from the time he
decided, Jill was singing like a bobolink, and such a medley of
merry music came from behind the screen, that it was a regular
morning concert. She did not know then that he stayed for her
sake, but she found it out soon after, and when the time came did
as much for him, as we shall see.
It proved a wise decision, for the last part of January was so
stormy Jack could not have gone half the time. So, while the snow
drifted, and bitter winds raged, he sat snugly at home amusing Jill,
and getting on bravely with his lessons, for Frank took great pains
with him to show his approbation of the little kindness, and,
somehow, the memory of it seemed to make even the detested
Latin easier.
With February fair weather set in, and Jack marched happily away
to school, with Jill’s new mittens on his hands, Mamma nodding
from the door-step, and Frank ready to give him a lift on the new
sled, if the way proved too long or too rough.
“I shall not have time to miss him now, for we are to be very busy
getting ready for the Twenty-second. The Dramatic Club meets
to-night, and would like to come here, if they may, so 1 can help?”
said Jill, as Mrs. Minot came up, expecting to find her rather low
in her mind.
“Certainly; and I have a basket of old finery I looked up for the
club when I was rummaging out bits of silk for your blue quilt,”
answered the good lady, who had set up a new employment to
beguile the hours of Jack’s absence.
When the girls arrived, that evening, they found Mrs. Chairwoman
surrounded by a strew of theatrical properties, enjoying herself
very much. All brought such contributions as they could muster,
and all were eager about a certain tableau which was to be the gem
of the whole, they thought. Jill, of course, was not expected to take
any part, but her taste was good, so all consulted her as they
showed their old silks, laces, and flowers, asking who should be
this, and who that. All wanted to be the “Sleeping Beauty,” for that
was the chosen scene, with the slumbering court about the
princess, and the prince in the act of awakening her. Jack was to be
the hero, brave in his mother’s velvet cape, red boots, and a real
sword, while the other boys were to have parts of more or less
splendor.
“Mabel should be the Beauty, because her hair is so lovely,” said
Juliet, who was quite satisfied with her own part of the Queen.
“No, Merry ought to have it, as she is the prettiest, and has that
splendid veil to wear,” answered Molly, who was to be the maid of
honor, cuffing the little page, Boo.
“I don’t care a bit, but my feather would be fine for the Princess,
and I don’t know as Emma would like to have me lend it to anyone
else,” said Annette, waving a long white plume over her head, with
girlish delight in its grace.
“I should think the white silk dress, the veil, and the feather ought
to go together, with the scarlet crape shawl and these pearls. That
would be sweet, and just what princesses really wear,” advised Jill,
who was stringing a quantity of old Roman pearls.
“We all want to wear the nice things, so let us draw lots. Wouldn’t
that be the fairest way?” asked Merry, looking like a rosy little
bride, under a great piece of illusion, which had done duty in many
plays.
“The Prince is light, so the Princess must be darkish. We ought to
choose the girl who will look best, as it is a picture. I heard Miss
Delano say so, when the ladies got up the tableaux, last winter, and
everyone wanted to be Cleopatra,” said Jill decidedly.
“You choose, and then if we can’t agree we will draw lots,”