Well, no one can say that I have added to the
shameful waste."
Miss Terry tossed the poor jumping-jack on the fire, and eyed his last
contortions with grim satisfaction.
But as she watched, a quaint idea came to her. She was famous for eccentric
ideas.
"I will try an experiment," she said. "I will prove once for all my point
about the 'Christmas spirit.' I will drop some of these old toys out on the
sidewalk and see what happens. It may be interesting."
CHAPTER II
JACK-IN-THE-BOX
Miss Terry rose and crossed two rooms to the front window, looking out upon
the street. A flare of light almost blinded her eyes. Every window opposite
her along the block, as far as she could see, was illuminated with a row of
lighted candles across the sash. The soft, unusual glow threw into relief
the pretty curtains and wreaths of green, and gave glimpses of cosy
interiors and flitting happy figures.
"What a waste of candles!" scolded Miss Terry. "Folks are growing terribly
extravagant."
The street was white with snow which had fallen a few hours earlier, piled
in drifts along the curb of the little-traveled terrace. But the sidewalks
were neatly shoveled and swept clean, as became the eminently respectable
part of the city where Miss Terry lived.
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