lly agreed with her.
Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.

And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting
back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper
contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was! Did
ever any such tantalizing aroma drift upon the air as ascended from the
browning turkey? Or did ever potatoes so fill their jackets to
bursting? As for the celery--it was like ivory; and the cranberry jelly
as transparent and glowing as a huge ruby. And, oh, the browning crust
of the mince pies! So many hungry little McGregors swarmed round the
stove it was a marvel some of them were not burned to death on hot
stove covers or the oven door. One could scarcely baste the turkey
without falling over two or three of them.

However, nobody was scalded or blistered and when at length the great
bronzed bird was borne from the oven a procession of exultant children
followed in the wake of the huge platter, every one of them shouting
for the wishbone or a drumstick.

"Was the creature a centipede he would hardly have drumsticks to
satisfy you!" laughed their mother. "Who ever saw such a lot of
cannibals! Was anybody to hear your hubbub they'd think you had never
had a mouthful to eat in all your lives. I don't believe your uncle
ever saw worse heathen in the South Sea Islands."

Nevertheless, in spite of her caustic comment, it was plain that the
mother was enjoying her children's pleasure and that Uncle Frederick
was enjoying it too.

"Well," went on Mrs. McGregor, "if you do not get filled up to-day it
will be your own fault. I shall put no check on anybody. You may eat
all you'll hold."

Profiting by this spacious permission the McGregors fell to and what a
feast they had! Never had they dreamed of such a meal. Even Carl and
Martin, whose capacity appeared to be limitless, were at length forced
to confess that for once in their lives they had had enough; as for Tim
he sank back in his chair almost in tears because he could not find
room for another mouthful.

"I couldn't squeeze down a single 'nother thing if I was paid for it,"
wailed he. "And I did so want a second helping of pudding! Why didn't
you stop me, Ma, when I started out on that giant sweet potato?"

His mother shrugged her shoulders.

"You must learn to make your own choices," said she. "Perhaps 'twill
teach you next time not to covet all you see. And now, befor