This seemed to be the centre of operations , but beyond the fact of the promised tree no ray of light was permitted to pass the jealously guarded doors . Strange men with paste-pots and ladders went in , furniture was dragged about , and all sorts of boyish lumber was sent up garret and down cellar . Mrs. Minot was seen pondering over heaps of green stuff , hammering was heard , singular bundles were smuggled upstairs , flowering plants betrayed their presence by whiffs of fragrance when the door was opened , and Mrs. Pecq was caught smiling all by herself in a back bedroom , which usually was shut up in winter . `` They are going to have a play , after all , and that green stuff was the curtain , '' said Molly Loo , as the girls talked it over one day , when they sat with their backs turned to one another , putting last stitches in certain bits of work which had to be concealed from all eyes , though it was found convenient to ask one another 's taste as to the color , materials , and sizes of these mysterious articles . `` I think it is going to be a dance . I heard the boys doing their steps when I went in last evening to find out whether Jack liked blue or yellow best , so I could put the bow on his pen-wiper , '' declared Merry , knitting briskly away at the last of the pair of pretty white bed-socks she was making for Jill right under her inquisitive little nose . `` They would n't have a party of that kind without Jack and me . It is only an extra nice tree , you see if it is n't , '' answered Jill from behind the pillows which made a temporary screen to hide the toilet mats she was preparing for all her friends . `` Every one of you is wrong , and you 'd better rest easy , for you wo n't find out the best part of it , try as you may . '' And Mrs. Pecq actually chuckled as she , too , worked away at some bits of muslin , with her back turned to the very unsocial-looking group . `` Well , I do n't care , we 've got a secret all our own , and wo n't ever tell , will we ? '' cried Jill , falling back on the Home Missionary Society , though it was not yet begun . `` Never ! '' answered the girls , and all took great comfort in the idea that one mystery would not be cleared up , even at Christmas . Jack gave up guessing , in despair , after he had suggested a new dining-room where he could eat with the family , a private school in which his lessons might go on with a tutor , or a theatre for the production of the farces in which he delighted . `` It is going to be used to keep something in that you are very fond of , '' said Mamma , taking pity on him at last . `` Ducks ? '' asked Jack , with a half pleased , half puzzled air , not quite seeing where the water was to come from . Frank exploded at the idea , and added to the mystification by saying , -- `` There will be one little duck and one great donkey in it . '' Then , fearing he had told the secret , he ran off , quacking and braying derisively .
`` It is to be used for creatures that I , too , am fond of , and you know neither donkeys nor ducks are favorites of mine , '' XXXXX Mamma , with a demure expression , as she sat turning over old clothes for the bundles that always went to poor neighbors , with a little store of goodies , at this time of the year .
answered care cleared declared going liked puzzled said see seeing