It was about a lost lamb , and her heart was in the song ; therefore she sang it well , so well that a pretty young lady came down to listen , and stood watching the bright-eyed girl , who looked about her as she sang , evidently enjoying the light and warmth of the fine hall , and the sight of the lovely children with their gay dresses , shining hair , and dainty little shoes . ` You have a charming voice , child . Who taught you to sing ? ' asked the young lady kindly . ` My mother . She is dead now ; but I do not forget , ' answered Tessa , in her pretty broken English . ' I wish she could sing at our tree , since Bella is ill , ' cried one of the children peeping through the banisters . ` She is not fair enough for the angel , and too large to go up in the tree . But she sings sweetly , and looks as if she would like to see a tree , ' said the young lady . ` Oh , so much ! ' exclaimed Tessa ; adding eagerly , ` my sister Ranza is small and pretty as a baby-angel . She could sit up in the fine tree , and I could sing for her from under the table . ' ` Sit down and warm yourself , and tell me about Ranza , ' said the kind elder sister , who liked the confiding little girl , in spite of her shabby clothes . So Tessa sat down and dried the big boots over the furnace , and told her story , while Tommo stood modestly in the background , and the children listened with faces full of interest . ' O Rose ! let us see the little girl ; and if she will do , let us have her , and Tessa can learn our song , and it will be splendid ! ' cried the biggest boy , who sat astride of a chair , and stared at the harp with round eyes . ` I 'll ask mamma , ' said Rose ; and away she went into the dining-room close by . As the door opened , Tessa saw what looked to her like a fairy feast , -- all silver mugs and flowery plates and oranges and nuts and rosy wine in tall glass pitchers , and smoking dishes that smelt so deliciously she could not restrain a little sniff of satisfaction . ` Are you hungry ? '
asked the XXXXX , in a grand tone .
angel background banisters boy clothes hair light song spite warmth