eeping house for him,
too. Isn't he good?

Don't you think I ought to be a very happy little girl? Well, I am, and
I guess my face is getting all out of shape, I find so many things to
smile about.

Your affectionate friend,
Rose.

P. S. Please give my love and a turkey drumstick to Mike.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

V

Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts.
December 23, 1912.

Dear little Smiles:

Although I am very busy, for the Winter has given colds to many little
folks here, I can not let Christmastide go by without writing a letter
to you, little forest friend. It was very dear of you to send me that
basket of holly, which I found waiting for me when I returned, tired
out, last night.

Its dark green leaves and bright red berries looked up at me when I
undid it, almost as though they were your personal messengers and were
trying eagerly to say, "Smiles wishes you a Merry Christmas through us."
The basket was indeed a work of art, but to me it seemed even more than
that--a labor of love.

I could almost imagine you tramping through the snow-covered mountain
woods and gathering the holiday berries, and the picture which my mind
painted was so attractive that I heartily wished I might have been
there, too.

I am delighted with the accounts of the progress you are making in your
studies, and your all-too-infrequent letters themselves tell the story.
I'm afraid that I shall not know you next summer. Write me just as often
as you feel like doing so, dear, and if I do not always reply you may
know that it is only because I am so very busy.

Now I have two pieces of news to tell you. I am sure that you will be
very much pleased with one of them and I hope will be with both.

First, Muriel's mother had a wonderful present just a little ahead of
Christmas day--not from Santa Claus, but from Old Father Stork. It is a
fine baby boy, whose eyes are almost the color of yours, and his name is
to be "Donald MacDonald Thayer." I suppose I have now got to be extra
good in order to set my namesake the right example.

Knowing how dear all little ones are to your heart, I am sure that you
will be al