ere were more parcels beside
my plate; two nice books from Beverly, and a gold
bracelet from the doctor. Just think of it, two
pieces of jewelry in one day! I am sure I didn't
deserve such beautiful things, but when I told
them so, and tried to thank them, they only
laughed.

"In the morning we went to church, and the
Christmas music was lovely. We met the Pattersons
at church, and they all came home with us to
dinner. Oh, such a dinner! I don't see how any one
could possibly ever eat so many things. There were
more dishes than I have ever imagined possible for
one meal, and every single one was delicious.

"After dinner came the tree for the children, and
that was the best fun of all. I quite lost my
heart to some of the piccaninnies, and one little
chap, as black as coal, was so adorable that I
wanted to hug him. The children all had a
beautiful time, and screamed with delight over
their presents. How I wished you and Mother could
have seen Mrs. Randolph going about among them,
speaking so pleasantly to every one, and making
them all feel at home. After the tree had been
stripped they all had ice cream, and I got hold of
my little black boy, and made him sit on my lap
while I fed him until I don't believe he could
have swallowed another mouthful. Then the old
butler, who is just like a negro servant in a
book, proposed three cheers for Mrs. Randolph, and
you should have heard those darkies yell!

"The Pattersons left as soon as the fun was over,
and we all went upstairs to our rooms to rest. But
I wasn't a bit tired, and was afraid that if I sat
down to think I might be homesick, so I thought I
would go for a walk. I was just starting when I
saw Mrs. Randolph come out from the greenhouse,
with her hat on, and her hands full of beautiful
roses, and I stopped to ask if she were going for
a walk, too, and if I might go with her. She
hesitated for a minute, and then said I might come
if I liked, but she was afraid I would find it
sad; she was going to the cemetery to put flowers
on her littl