ig, you had better be off; it is getting quite late," said
Anna.

"But can't you get me something to eat first; I am so hungry?"

"If I do I shall meet aunt. Haven't you anything with you? Why, there is
aunt coming; I must run." Anna did run, too, without thinking any more
of her friend. Hedwig had to set off without waiting longer, for it was
getting very late. She determined to spend her money in buying some
bread for herself, hoping to find something else for the boys. After
eating her bread she set off for home.

[Illustration: OFF TO THE TOWN. (_See p. 356_).]

It seemed such a long walk now, and the basket and kittens were very
heavy. Twice a kitten escaped, and she had to give chase, so that by the
time she reached home she was tired and hungry, for it was getting late
in the afternoon.

She took the kittens up into the loft and fastened them in, after giving
them a saucerful of milk. Then down she went to tell her mother about
her purchases.

"Why are you so late, Hedwig?" said her mother. "I have been expecting
you a very long time. Baby has been so tiresome, and the twins have made
themselves so untidy. They wanted to be black people, and I found
Gretchen painting Sophie black with ink. Fortunately they had not done
very much, but I am so tired with the worry that I think you must get
the Christmas tree ready."

Hedwig was sorry her mother was tired, but glad to get the tree ready.
She spread a white tablecloth on the little round table in the big room,
placed the tree on it, and then made the other tables ready. When all
was ready, the tree, decorated with candles and sweetmeats, was placed
in the centre of the room. The little gifts were arranged on small
tables. Then Hedwig ran upstairs to fetch the ribbon for her mother, and
the kittens. She found the latter scampering about the loft, and having
fine fun. She placed them in two baskets, and then carried them down.
Now all was ready, and Hedwig felt satisfied. The twins would have the
kittens, mother and father the ribbon, and she had found two small balls
of her own for Karl and baby. Very pleased with her work, she locked the
door and ran away to get tidied.

Half an hour afterwards the doors were thrown open, the candles lighted,
and the whole family entered. But what a state of confusion the room was
in! for everything was upset and disarranged.

"Oh, the kittens! the kittens!" cried Hedwig; "they must have done it."

Of course, immediately