-- In haste , `` J.P. '' `` Let 's all send her a letter , '' proposed Jack , and out came pens , ink , paper , and the lamp , and every one 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 need n'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 ai n'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 any way 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 XXXXX for your books .
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