Chapter XVIII. May Baskets

ewindows,thedovescameandtappedatthepane,thechippiessatontheledgeinplumplittlebunchesasifsheweretheirsunshine,thejayscalledherintheirshrillvoicestoringthedinner-bell,andtherobinstiltedonthespruceboughswherelunchwasalwaystobehad. ThefirstofMaycameonSunday,soallthecelebratingmustbedoneonSaturday,whichhappilyprovedfair,thoughtoochillyformuslingowns,papergarlands,andpicnicsondampgrass.Beingaholiday,theboysdecidedtodevotethemorningtoballandtheafternoontotheflowerhunt,whilethegirlsfinishedthebasketsandintheeveningourparticularsevenweretomeetattheMinotstofillthem,readyfortheclosingfrolicofhangingondoor-handles,ringingbells,andrunningaway. “NowImustdomyMaying,fortherewillbenomoresunshine,andIwanttopickmyflowersbeforeitisdark.Come,Mammy,yougotoo,”saidJill,asthelastsunbeamsshoneinatthewesternwindowwhereherhyacinthsstoodthatnofosteringraymightbelost. Itwasratherpathetictoseetheoncemerrygirlwhousedtobethelifeofthewood-partiesnowcarefullyliftingherselffromthecouch,and,leaningonhermother'sstrongarm,slowlytakethehalf-dozenstepsthatmadeupherlittleexpedition.Butshewashappy,andstoodsmilingoutatoldBunskippingdownthewalk,thegold-edgedcloudsthatdrewapartsothatasunbeammightgiveheragood-nightkissasshegatheredherlong-cherisheddaisies,primroses,andhyacinthstofilltheprettybasketinherhand. “Whoisitfor,mydearie?”askedhermother,standingbehindherasaprop,whilethethinfingersdidtheirworksowillinglythatnotaflowerwasleft. “ForMyLady,ofcourse.WhoelsewouldIgivemyposiesto,whenIlovethemsowell?”answeredJill,whothoughtnonametoofinefortheirbestfriend. “IfancieditwouldbeforMasterJack,”saidhermother,wishingtheexcursiontobeacheerfulone. “I'veanotherforhim,butshemusthavetheprettiest.Heisgoingtohangitforme,andringandrunaway,andshewon'tknowwhoit'sfromtillsheseesthis.Shewillrememberit,forI'vebeenturningandtendingiteversolong,tomakeitbloomto-day.Isn'titabeauty?”andJillheldupherfinesthyacinth,whichseemedtoringitspalepinkbellsasifgladtocarryitssweetmessagefromagratefullittleheart. “Indeeditisandyouarerighttogiveyourbesttoher.Comeawaynow,youmustnotstandanylonger.ComeandrestwhileIfetchadishtoputtheflowersintillyouwantthem”andMrs.PecqturnedherroundwithhersmallMayingsafelydone. “Ididn'tthinkI'deverbeabletodoevensomuch,andhereIamwalkingandsittingup,andgoingtodrivesomeday.Isn'titnicethatI'mnottobeapoorLucindaafterall?”andJilldrewalongsighofreliefthatsixmonthsinsteadoftwentyyearswouldprobablybetheendofhercaptivity. “Yes,thankHeaven!Idon'tthinkIcouldhavebornethat”andthemothertookJillinherarmsasifshewereababy,holdinghercloseforaminute,andlayingherdownwithatenderkissthatmadethearmsclingaboutherneckasherlittlegirlreturneditheartily,forallsortsofnew,sweetfeelingsseemedtobebuddinginboth,bornofgreatjoyandthankfulness. ThenMrs.Pecqhurriedawaytoseeaboutteaforthehungryboys,andJillwatchedthepleasanttwilightdeepenasshelaysingingtoherselfoneofthesongsherfriendtaughtherbecauseitfittedhersowell. “AlittlebirdIam, Shutfromthefieldsofair, AndinmycageIsitandsing ToHimwhoplacedmethere: Wellpleasedaprisonertobe, Because,myGod,itpleasesThee! “NaughthaveIelsetodo Isingthewholedaylong AndHewhommostIlovetoplease Dothlistentomysong, Hecaughtandboundmywanderingwing, ButstillHebendstohearmesing.” “Nowwearereadyforyou,sobringonyourflowers,”saidMollytotheboys,assheandMerryaddedtheirstoreofbasketstothegayshowJillhadsetforthonthelongtablereadyfortheevening'swork. “They