Part 15 (2/2)

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,” said Bella, almost breathless with haste, ”we were coming down with these on our way to church, but--but we can't wait! That's with my love. I've been bringing them on on purpose for you!” and she put down before Aunt Maggie a pot of beautiful lily of the valley almost in full bloom. The fragrance of them filled the room.

”Lilies!” cried Mrs. Langley delightedly, ”lilies? Why, however did you get them now, child? I never saw anything lovelier in my life?

Old Mrs. Twining'll go crazy over them. I never knew anybody love flowers as she does. Thank you, Bella, dear,” and she kissed the little flower-grower warmly.

”I've made you a besom, Aunt Maggie, but it isn't very good, I am afraid,”

said Tom shyly. ”I ain't very clever at it yet.”

Aunt Maggie's pleasant face beamed. ”Bless the boy!” she cried heartily, ”he always knows what I'm in want of. I shall find it ever so useful, Tom.”

”And I've got an orange for you,” broke in Margery, who could keep quiet no longer.

”And I've got some peppermints,” said Charlie.

”Now fancy you two remembering what I like! Thank you, dears, ever so much. Well, I didn't expect to carry my basket back full, I can tell you.

I am sorry I've got to hurry away now, but I'll be up again about four o'clock. I hope you'll have a comfortable day, William. If I can do anything to help, I shall be only too pleased. You will tell me, Miss Hender, won't you? Well, good-bye for the time, and a happy Christmas to you all!” and Aunt Maggie ran off as fast as she could go.

Then what excitement there was, as they all eagerly opened their parcels.

There was a warm m.u.f.fler for their father, an ap.r.o.n for Miss Hender, a pair of warm gloves for Bella and a thick pair for Tom for driving; for Charlie there was a book, and for Margery a silver thimble.

”Just the very things we want!” cried Bella delightedly, ”I shall wear my gloves to church presently; I wanted some to keep my hands warm.”

”I can't wear my fimble to church, I s'pose?” questioned Margery, looking at it longingly.

”Oh no!” said Bella, ”and if you could it wouldn't show under your gloves.”

”Could I carry it in my pocket?” pleaded Margery; she could not bear to be parted from her new treasure so soon.

”You would most likely drag it out with your handkerchief and lose it.

What would you do then? You leave your thimble at home with father, and I will lend you my m.u.f.f, to keep your hands warm--if you will promise to take great care of it.”

”Oh, I'll be ever so careful,” promised Margery eagerly, for one of the ambitions of her life was to have a m.u.f.f to carry. Bella had a little old-fas.h.i.+oned black one that had belonged to her mother, and Margery yearned for the time when she too should have one.

They were all pleased with their presents, even Aunt Emma. ”Well, I did want an ap.r.o.n,” she said, as she turned it over and examined it.

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