CHAPTER ONE PLAYING " Christmas wo n't be Christmas without any presents , " grumbled , lying on the rug .
" It 's so dreadful to be poor ! "
sighed , looking down at old dress .
" do n't think it 's fair for to have plenty of pretty things , and nothing at all , " added , with an injured sniff .
" 've got and , and , " said contentedly from corner .
brightened at the cheerful words , but darkened again as said sadly , " have n't got , and shall not have for a long time . "
did n't say " perhaps never , " but each silently added it , thinking of far away , where the fighting was .
spoke for a minute ; then said in an altered tone , " know the reason proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it is going to be a hard winter for ; and thinks ought not to spend money for pleasure , when are suffering so in the army .
ca n't do much , but can make little sacrifices , and ought to do it gladly .
But am afraid do n't , " and shook head , as thought regretfully of all the pretty things wanted .
" But do n't think the little should spend would do any good .
've each got a dollar , and the army would n't be much helped by giving that .
agree not to expect anything from or , but do want to buy _ Undine and Sintran _ for .
've wanted it so long , " said .
" planned to spend mine in new music , " said , with a little sigh , which heard but the hearth brush and kettle-holder .
" shall get a nice box of Faber 's drawing pencils ; really need them , " said decidedly .
" did n't say anything about money , and wo n't wish to give up everything .
Let 's each buy what want , and have a little fun ; 'm sure work hard enough to earn it , " cried , examining the heels of shoes in a gentlemanly manner .
" know do -- teaching nearly all day , when 'm longing to enjoy at , " began , in the complaining tone again .
" do n't have half such a hard time as do , " said .
" How would like to be shut up for hours with ? "
" It 's naughty to fret , but do think washing dishes and keeping things tidy is the worst work in .
It makes cross , and hands get so stiff , ca n't practice well at all . "
And looked at rough hands with a sigh that could hear that time .
" do n't believe any of suffer as do , " cried , " for do n't have to go to with . "
" If mean libel , 'd say so , and not talk about labels , as if was a pickle bottle , " advised , laughing .
" know what mean , and need n't be statirical about it .
It 's proper to use good words , and improve vocabilary , " returned , with dignity .
" Do n't peck at , .
Do n't wish had the money lost when were little , ?
Dear !
How happy and good 'd be , if had no worries ! "
said , who could remember better times .
" said the other day thought were a deal happier than , for were fighting and fretting all the time , in spite of money . "
" So did , .
Well , think are .
For though do have to work , make fun of , and are , as would say . "
" does use such slang words ! "
observed , with a reproving look at .
immediately sat up , put hands in pockets , and began to whistle .
" Do n't , .
It 's so boyish ! "
" That 's why do it . "
" detest ! "
" hate ! "
" Birds in their little nests agree , " sang , , with such a funny face that both sharp voices softened to a laugh , and the " pecking " ended for that time .
" Really , , are both to be blamed , " said , beginning to lecture in elder-sisterly fashion .
" are old enough to leave off boyish tricks , and to behave better , .
It did n't matter so much when were , but now are so tall , and turn up hair , should remember that are . "
" 'm not !
And if turning up hair makes one , 'll wear it in two tails till 'm twenty , " cried , pulling off net , and shaking down a chestnut mane .
" hate to think 've got to grow up , and be , and wear long gowns , and look as prim as a China Aster !
It 's bad enough to be , anyway , when like 's games and work and manners !
ca n't get over disappointment in not being .
And it 's worse than ever now , for 'm dying to go and fight with .
And can only stay and knit , like ! "
And shook the blue army sock till the needles rattled like castanets , and ball bounded across .
" !
It 's too bad , but it ca n't be helped .
So must try to be contented with making name boyish , and playing to , " said , stroking the rough head with a hand that all the dish washing and dusting in could not make ungentle in its touch .
" As for , , " continued , " are altogether too particular and prim .
airs are funny now , but 'll grow up , if do n't take care .
like nice manners and refined ways of speaking , when do n't try to be elegant .
But absurd words are as bad as 's slang . "
" If is and , what am , please ? "
asked , ready to share the lecture .
" 're , and nothing else , " answered warmly , and contradicted , for was .
As like to know ' how look ' , will take this moment to give a little sketch of , who sat knitting away in the twilight , while the December snow fell quietly without , and the fire crackled cheerfully within .
It was , though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain , for a good picture or two hung on the walls , books filled the recesses , chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows , and a pleasant atmosphere of peace pervaded it .
, , was sixteen , and very pretty , being plump and fair , with large eyes , plenty of soft brown hair , a sweet mouth , and white hands , of which was rather vain .
was very tall , thin , and brown , and reminded one of a colt , for never seemed to know what to do with long limbs , which were very much in way .
had a decided mouth , a comical nose , and sharp , gray eyes , which appeared to see everything , and were by turns fierce , funny , or thoughtful .
long , thick hair was one beauty , but it was usually bundled into a net , to be out of way .
Round shoulders had , big hands and feet , a flyaway look to clothes , and the uncomfortable appearance of .
, or , as called , was .
called ' ' , and the name suited excellently , for seemed to live in a happy world of own , only venturing out to meet .
, though , was , in own opinion at least .
, pale and slender , and always carrying like .
What the characters of were will leave to be found out .
The clock struck six and , having swept up the hearth , put a pair of slippers down to warm .
Somehow the sight of the old shoes had a good effect upon , for was coming , and brightened to welcome .
stopped lecturing , and lighted the lamp , got out of the easy chair without being asked , and forgot how tired was as sat up to hold the slippers nearer to the blaze .
" They are quite worn out .
must have a new pair . "
" thought 'd get some with dollar , " said .