It was a small room , with nothing in it but a bed , two chairs , and a big chest . A few little gowns hung on the wall , and the only picture was the wintry sky , sparkling with stars , framed by the uncurtained window . But the moon , pausing to peep , saw something pretty and heard something pleasant . Two heads in little round nightcaps lay on one pillow , two pairs of wide-awake blue eyes stared up at the light , and two tongues were going like mill clappers . `` I 'm so glad we got our shirts done in time ! It seemed as if we never should , and I do n't think six cents is half enough for a great red flannel thing with four button-holes -- do you ? '' said one little voice , rather wearily . `` No ; but then we each made four , and fifty cents is a good deal of money . Are you sorry we did n't keep our quarters for ourselves ? '' asked the other voice , with an under-tone of regret in it . `` Yes , I am , till I think how pleased the children will be with our tree , for they do n't expect anything , and will be so surprised . I wish we had more toys to put on it , for it looks so small and mean with only three or four things . '' `` It wo n't hold any more , so I would n't worry about it . The toys are very red and yellow , and I guess the babies wo n't know how cheap they are , but like them as much as if they cost heaps of money . '' This was a cheery voice , and as it spoke the four blue eyes turned toward the chest under the window , and the kind moon did her best to light up the tiny tree standing there . A very pitiful little tree it was -- only a branch of hemlock in an old flower-pot , propped up with bits of coal , and hung with a few penny toys earned by the patient fingers of the elder sisters , that the little ones should not be disappointed . But in spite of the magical moonlight the broken branch , with its scanty supply of fruit , looked pathetically poor , and one pair of eyes filled slowly with tears , while the other pair lost their happy look , as if a cloud had come over the sunshine . `` Are you crying , Dolly ? '' `` Not much , Polly . '' `` What makes you , dear ? ''
`` I did n't know how poor we were till I saw the XXXXX , and then I could n't help it , '' sobbed the elder sister , for at twelve she already knew something of the cares of poverty , and missed the happiness that seemed to vanish out of all their lives when father died .
bed gowns nothing pillow room spite stars things tree window