`` Frank said he 'd pull me along in my Latin , but I 've been lazy and have n't done a thing . Let 's go at it and start fair for New Year , '' proposed Jack , who did not love study as the bright girl did , but was ashamed to fall behind her in anything . `` All right . They 've been reviewing , so we can keep up when they begin , if we work next week , while the rest have a holiday . Oh , dear , I do miss school dreadfully ; '' and Jill sighed for the old desk , every blot and notch of which was dear to her . `` There come our things , and pretty nice they look , too , '' said Jack ; and his mother began to dress the tree , hanging up the gay horns , the gilded nuts , red and yellow apples and oranges , and festooning long strings of pop-corn and scarlet cranberries from bough to bough , with the glittering necklaces hung where the light would show their colors best . `` I never saw such a splendid tree before . I 'm glad we could help , though we were ill . Is it all done now ? '' asked Jill , when the last parcel was tied on and everybody stood back to admire the pretty sight . `` One thing more . Hand me that box , Frank , and be very careful that you fasten this up firmly , Ralph , '' answered Mrs. Minot , as she took from its wrappings the waxen figure of a little child . The rosy limbs were very life-like , so was the smiling face under the locks of shining hair . Both plump arms were outspread as if to scatter blessings over all , and downy wings seemed to flutter from the dimpled shoulders , making an angel of the baby . `` Is it St. Nicholas ? '' asked Jill , who had never seen that famous personage , and knew but little of Christmas festivities . `` It is the Christ-child , whose birthday we are celebrating . I got the best I could find , for I like the idea better than old Santa Claus ; though we may have him , too , '' said Mamma , holding the little image so that both could see it well . `` It looks like a real baby ; '' and Jack touched the rosy foot with the tip of his finger , as if expecting a crow from the half-open lips . `` It reminds me of the saints in the chapel of the Sacred Heart in Montreal .
One little St. John looked like this , only he had a lamb instead of wings , '' XXXXX Jill , stroking the flaxen hair , and wishing she dared ask for it to play with .
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