Chapter V. Secrets

ryfondof,”saidMamma,takingpityonhimatlast. “Ducks?”askedJack,withahalfpleased,halfpuzzledair,notquiteseeingwherethewaterwastocomefrom. Frankexplodedattheidea,andaddedtothemystificationbysaying,— “Therewillbeonelittleduckandonegreatdonkeyinit.”Then,fearinghehadtoldthesecret,heranoff,quackingandbrayingderisively. “ItistobeusedforcreaturesthatI,too,amfondof,andyouknowneitherdonkeysnorducksarefavoritesofmine,”saidMamma,withademureexpression,asshesatturningoveroldclothesforthebundlesthatalwayswenttopoorneighbors,withalittlestoreofgoodies,atthistimeoftheyear. “Iknow!Iknow!Itistobeanewwardformoresickfolks,isn'tit,now?”criedJack,withwhathethoughtagreatproofofshrewdness. “Idon'tseehowIcouldattendtomanymorepatientstillthisoneisoffmyhands,”answeredMamma,withaqueersmile,addingquickly,asifshetoowasafraidoflettingthecatoutofthebag:“ThatremindsmeofaChristmasIoncespentamongthehospitalsandpoor-housesofagreatcitywithagoodladywho,forthirtyyears,hadmadeithermissiontoseethatthesepoorlittlesoulshadonemerryday.Wegaveawaytwohundreddolls,severalgreatboxesofcandyandtoys,besidesgaypictures,andnewclothestoorphanchildren,sickbabies,andhalf-growninnocents.Ah,myboy,thatwasadaytorememberallmylife,tomakemedoublygratefulformyblessings,andverygladtoservethehelplessandafflicted,asthatdearwomandid.” ThelookandtonewithwhichthelastwordswereutteredeffectuallyturnedJack'sthoughtsfromthegreatsecret,andstartedanothersmallone,forhefelltoplanningwhathewouldbuywithhispocket-moneytosurprisethelittlePatsandBiddieswhoweretohavenoChristmastree.