"Oh, yes," cried Grace enthusiastically. "Now, at last, I shall be able to get the blue silk mother promised I could have if at any time there was an occasion worthy of it." "I'm going to ask papa to give me a lavender crepe for a Christmas present," said Jessica. "O Mrs. Gray," continued Nora, "we are going to have such fun Oakdale can't hold us." "I think we should have a surprise for Mrs. Gray," announced Grace. "She is doing so much for us. O girls! I have an idea." "What!" demanded the others breathlessly, including Mrs. Gray herself, who was as full of curiosity as a young girl. "No, no," cried Grace, "it wouldn't be a surprise if I gave it away. But it's going to require a lot of work and planning to carry it out." "Is it big or little?" asked the dainty old lady as eager as a child to find out the secret. "It's rather small," answered Grace. "Fine or superfine?" "Both," laughed Grace. "But you'll not know till Christmas night; so stifle your curiosity." "I suppose I must wait, but it's going to be very hard," replied Mrs. Gray plaintively. And so the party was arranged. Notes, written by Anne, were dispatched to the four boys; plans were discussed for the week's amusements, and the four girls finally started home in a state of great excitement to look over their wardrobes and furbish up their party dresses. Only Anne had looked somewhat dubious during the conversation. How could she spend a week in a beautiful house, with parties every night and company all the time, and nothing to wear but that hideous black silk? "Anne," called Mrs. Gray, as the young girl was about to close the front door and follow the others down the steps. "Wait a moment. I want to see you." She led Anne into the big drawing room. "Do you know that I am greatly in your debt, my child?" continued the old lady, as she drew Anne down beside her on the sofa. "I don't think I could ever possibly repay you for the good you have done me this autumn. But I am going to try, nevertheless, by making you a Christmas present before Christmas arrives. Now, when I was your age, I preferred clothes to other things. I think all young girls do; or, if they don't they are most unnatural. Therefore, child, I have decided to pay off some of my indebtedness to you by getting my dressmaker to make you some dresses, if it is agreeable to you. Why, what is this! My little girl crying?" The tears were streaming down Anne's cheeks. "You mustn't cry, my own child," sobbed Mrs. Gray. "For I always cry when I see other people doing it, and it's very bad for my old eyes, you know." "You are so good to me!" said Anne. "It makes me cry because I'm so happy."