to stow away a dozen paper-covered parcels in a small
space, and without making a sound. Bella found this the hardest part of
the whole task, until it entered her head to lay them flat under her bed.
"It's lucky I make my bed myself!" she thought, as she drew the bedclothes
straight again. "It is a splendid place, nothing shows a bit!" and she
hurried about her usual tasks full of excitement and relief.

There was a Christmasy look about the world out of doors, and a Christmasy
feeling throughout the house indoors. The sun shone, and a few flakes of
snow fell in a lazy, casual way--enough to convince Margery that Christmas
had really come, but not enough to inconvenience anybody else. To Margery
snow was a part of Christmas, which was not complete without it, and as
soon as she stepped out of bed she ran to the window and looked out
anxiously.

"Well," she said doubtfully, "there is snow, but very little. I hope it
doesn't mean that it is going to be a very little Christmas."

Long before the day was over she admitted that, in spite of there being
only a very little snow, it was one of the nicest Christmases she had ever
known in all her life.

Almost as soon as their father was dressed and settled in his arm-chair by
the fire, Aunt Maggie arrived with a big and heavy basket on her arm.

"Happy Christmas to you all!" she cried cheerfully. "Isn't it good to be
together again? How are you feeling this morning, William?"

"Pretty well, thank you, Maggie, and glad enough to be home again!
You are coming to dinner with us, of course?"

"No, I am not, thank you," said Aunt Maggie; "an old friend of mine is
coming to dinner with me. She was alone, and I was alone, so I asked her.
I've brought you your plum-pudding, if you'll accept it instead of me, and
there's a little parcel for each of you."

"Maggie, you've got to come to us! You knew we should expect you!
Whatever made you go and ask somebody in?"

"Well, I knew you'd be better alone, as you ain't very strong yet, and
Miss Hender has got her hands full, I know. But if you'll let me come up
to tea, I will, and be glad to."

"And bring your friend too," said Aunt Emma, quite genially.

"Thank you; I am sure it is very kind of you, and she'll be delighted to
come, I know. I must run home now, for I've got my dinner to get ready."

Bella and the children, who had disappeared soon after Aunt Maggie's
arrival, came running in again.

"Aunt Maggie," sai