` We must go to bed early , for we 've only wood enough to last over to-morrow . I shall be paid for my work the day after , and then we can get some , ' said Tilly 's mother , as they sat by the fire . ` If my bird was only a fairy bird , and would give us three wishes , how nice it would be ! Poor dear , he ca n't give me any thing ; but it 's no matter , ' answered Tilly , looking at the robin , who lay in the basket with his head under his wing , a mere little feathery bunch . ` He can give you one thing , Tilly , -- the pleasure of doing good . That is one of the sweetest things in life ; and the poor can enjoy it as well as the rich . ' As her mother spoke , with her tired hand softly stroking her little daughter 's hair , Tilly suddenly started and pointed to the window , saying , in a frightened whisper , -- ' I saw a face , -- a man 's face , looking in ! It 's gone now ; but I truly saw it . ' ` Some traveller attracted by the light perhaps . I 'll go and see . ' And Tilly 's mother went to the door . No one was there . The wind blew cold , the stars shone , the snow lay white on field and wood , and the Christmas moon was glittering in the sky . ` What sort of a face was it ? ' asked Tilly 's mother , coming back . ' A pleasant sort of face , I think ; but I was so startled I do n't quite know what it was like . I wish we had a curtain there , ' said Tilly . ' I like to have our light shine out in the evening , for the road is dark and lonely just here , and the twinkle of our lamp is pleasant to people 's eyes as they go by . We can do so little for our neighbours , I am glad to cheer the way for them . Now put these poor old shoes to dry , and go to bed , dearie ; I 'll come soon . '
Tilly went , taking her bird with her to sleep in his XXXXX near by , lest he should be lonely in the night .
Poor basket curtain door man mother neighbours snow to-morrow wing