g that could make me any gladder, that would be to
have you alive!" Steve winked his eyes hard. Her delight was pathetic.

Then she had to see the boys' Christmas. Benny Frank had a new suit of
clothes, Jim had a pair of boots, which was every boy's ambition then,
and an overcoat. And lots of books, pencils, gloves, and the candy it
would not have been Christmas without.

Mr. Underhill poked up the fire and took the little girl on his knee.
Mrs. Underhill put out the candles, for it was daylight, and then went
down to help get breakfast. Cousin Fannie and Roseann, as Mrs. Eustis
was always called, came in and had to express their opinion of
everything. Then breakfast was ready.

John went down in the sleigh for Aunt Patience and Aunt Nancy Archer.
They were not own sisters but sisters-in-law and each had a comfortable
income. It did not take very much to make people comfortable then. They
owned their house and rented some rooms.

Hanny had to go in and see Josie and Tudie Dean's Christmas and bring
them in to inspect hers. Then Dele and Nora Whitney were her next
callers. Nora had a silk dress and a gold ring with a prettily set
turquoise.

"The marriage was at ten," began Dele, "and it was just nothing at all.
I wouldn't be married in such a doleful way. She just had on a brown
silk dress with lots of lace, and white gloves, and the minister came
and it was all over in ten minutes. There was wedding-cake and wine.
I've brought you in some to dream on. Nora and I are going down to
Auntie's in Beach Street where there's to be a regular party and a
Christmas tree and lots of fun. After 'Phelia comes back she's going to
have a wedding-party and wear her real wedding-dress."

Nora thought the doll beautiful. Hanny just lifted it out of the box and
put it back. It seemed almost too sacred to touch.

Jim went out presently to get some Christmas cake. The grocers and
bakers treated the children of their customers to what was properly New
Year's cake, and the boys thought it no end of fun to go around and wish
Merry Christmas.

The dinner was at two. Doctor Joseph came in to dine and to be
congratulated by the cousins. The little girl's gratitude and delight
was very sweet to him. He put up the piano stool and she played her
pretty little exercises for him. Then about four he and Steve went down
to the Beekmans, where there was a dancing party in the evening.

The elders sat and talked, to Benny Frank's great delight.