very
hill within a reasonable distance. Although it was not Christmas time,
they would end up with the largest Christmas tree ever seen, and it
should stand in the centre of the lawn, and every poor child for miles
round should be invited to see it and to share the wonderful presents
which should hang from every branch and twig.

Nan's cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright while she made these
suggestions; but, after all, it was Annie's proposal in the end which
carried the day.

"Let's have the picnic by all means," she said; "and let all who will go
to it. If Nan wishes to be charitable, and to think of others rather
than herself, let her do so; and let all the school children be taken in
waggons and waggonettes to Friar's Wood or any other beautiful place in
the neighbourhood, and let Nan herself give them presents before they go
home. All that, of course, will be very delightful; although, of course,
neither Nora nor I can be present."

"What do you mean by _your_ not being present?" asked Molly, her brown
eyes growing dark with anger. "I suppose if anyone is to stay with Nora,
it ought to be me."

"No, it oughtn't," said Nora. "I wish for Annie; she's more fun."

"And I can't do without you, Molly, darling," interrupted Hester. "You
always are my right hand when anything important is going on; and then
you know all the school children by name, which, frankly, I do not."

"Well, now, _do_ hear me out," said Annie; "I have not half done. What I
say is this, that as Sir John Thornton is so generous, and as he wishes
everyone in the house to be happy on the day of Nan's birthday, I think
something should be done to make it up to Nora and me. Now, why
shouldn't we have a real glorious time in the evening? You have a
billiard-room in this house, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Can't we have a ball there?"

"What are we to do with the table?" said Hester.

"Oh," exclaimed Nora, her eyes sparkling, "we have such a heavenly
ball-room at the Towers; a great enormous room, never used and full of
rubbish, which can easily be turned out."

"Is there a gallery to that room?" interrupted Annie.

"Yes, at one end."

"Then the whole thing is complete," continued Annie. "We'll have a
children's fancy ball in the evening, and Nora shall look on from the
gallery. Nora shall be, in a sort of way, princess of the ceremonies.
We'll make her up the sweetest dress, and everyone shall come up and
talk to her; and if presents are