Chapter V. Secrets

yconfinementforschoolgossipcreptin,gamescouldnotbeprevented,andChristmassecretswereconcoctedinthoseroomstilltheywereregularconspirators'dens,whentheywerenotlittleBedlams. Afterthehornandbeadlaborswereover,thestringingofpop-cornonred,andcranberriesonwhite,threads,camenext,andJackandJilloftenlookedlikeanewkindofspiderintheprettywebshungaboutthem,tillreeledofftobidetheirtimeintheChristmascloset.Paperflowersfollowed,andgaygarlandsandbouquetsblossomed,regardlessofthesnowandfrostwithout.Thentherewasagreatscribblingofnames,verses,andnotestoaccompanythesteadilyincreasingstoreofoddparcelswhichwerecollectedattheMinots',forgiftsfromeveryoneweretoornamentthetree,andcontributionspouredinasthedaydrewnear. ButthesecretwhichmostexcitedtheyoungpeoplewasthedeepmysteryofcertainproceedingsattheMinothouse.NoonebutFrank,Ralph,andMammaknewwhatitwas,andthetwoboysnearlydrovetheothersdistractedbythetantalizingwayinwhichtheyhintedatjoystocome,talkedstrangelyaboutbirds,wentmeasuringroundwithfoot-rules,andshutthemselvesupintheBoys'Den,asacertainlargeroomwascalled.Thisseemedtobethecentreofoperations,butbeyondthefactofthepromisedtreenorayoflightwaspermittedtopassthejealouslyguardeddoors.Strangemenwithpaste-potsandladderswentin,furniturewasdraggedabout,andallsortsofboyishlumberwassentupgarretanddowncellar.Mrs.Minotwasseenponderingoverheapsofgreenstuff,hammeringwasheard,singularbundlesweresmuggledupstairs,floweringplantsbetrayedtheirpresencebywhiffsoffragrancewhenthedoorwasopened,andMrs.Pecqwascaughtsmilingallbyherselfinabackbedroom,whichusuallywass