and Mignon, but they were in the minority. At least two-thirds of
19-- had made friendly overtures not only to Marjorie, but to Constance
as well, and as the short December days slipped by, Marjorie began to
experience a contentment and peace in her school that she had not felt
since leaving dear old Franklin High.

"Everything's going beautifully, Captain," she declared gaily to her
mother in answer to the latter's question, as she flashed into the
living-room one sunny winter afternoon, with dancing eyes and pink
cheeks. "It couldn't be better. I like almost every one in school;
Constance's father has more playing than he can do; you bought me that
darling collar and cuff set yesterday; I've a long letter from Mary;
I've studied all my lessons for to-day, and--oh, yes, we're going to
have creamed chicken and lemon meringue pie for dinner. Isn't that
enough to make me happy for one day at least?"

"What a jumble of happiness!" laughed her mother.

"Isn't it, though? And now Christmas is almost here. That's another
perfectly gigantic happiness," was Marjorie's extravagant comment. "I
love Christmas! That reminds me, Mother, you said you would help me play
Santa Claus to little Charlie. I don't believe he has ever spent a
really jolly Christmas. Of course, Mr. Stevens and Constance will give
him things, but he needs a whole lot more presents besides. He climbed
into my lap and told me all about what he wanted when I was over there
yesterday. I promised to speak to Santa Claus about it. Charlie isn't
going to hang up his stocking. He's going to leave a funny little wagon
that he drags around for Santa Claus. He told me very solemnly that he
knew Santa Claus couldn't fill it, for Connie had said that he never had
enough presents to go around, but she was sure he would have a few left
when he reached Charlie.

"So Constance and I are going to decorate the wagon with evergreen and
hang strings of popcorn on it and fill it full of presents after he
goes to bed. He has promised to go very early Christmas eve. Mr. Roland
has a little violin he is going to give him, and Mr. Stevens has a
cunning chair for him. He has never had a chair of his own. Constance
has some picture books and toys, and I'm going to buy some, too. I saved
some money from my allowance this month on purpose for this."

Marjorie's face glowed with generous enthusiasm as she talked.

"I am going shopping day after to-morrow," said Mrs. Dean, "and as long