At six o'clock Aunt Cora and Uncle Tom, Marian and Ted arrived; a little later all the Pennys. Eighteen sat down at the table that creaked with the good things Mrs. Lee and Nora had prepared. Everyone talked at once. Keineth, looking down the length of the room, decked with the holly the children had fastened over doors and windows, thought that nowhere could Christmas be merrier than right there at the Lees! And what helped make the merriment was the comforting thought that Tim and his family were eating a Christmas dinner, too! At eight o'clock Peggy stole quietly to her mother. "May we children go up to the playroom, Mummy? It'd be more fun there," she whispered. Mrs. Lee nodded. The playroom was really a part of the attic, partitioned off and lighted. Here the children donned the cheesecloth costumes they had made. There was a great deal of laughter; Peggy was giving orders to everyone at once! Barbara sat on a trunk pinning wings to fairies' shoulders. And at the last moment Marian brought out some real make-up stuff she had borrowed! Then Billy, in a clown's robe made out of an old pair of night-drawers and a great deal of paper, went downstairs to give out the programs. "Oh, do I look like a real actress?" whispered Peggy to Keineth, wildly pulling at her tinsel crown. "Just beautiful!" Keineth whispered back. "But oh, I'm so scared! I know I won't remember a _single_ line!" CHAPTER XIX WHEN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WORKED OVERTIME Peals of laughter greeted Billy's appearance in the living-room. Then everyone read the programs he gave them. "The rascals!" cried Mr. Lee, genuinely surprised. "Look at this," whispered Mrs. Lee, pointing to the program. For at its top was printed in large letters: WHEN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WORKED OVERTIME BY PEGGY LEE AND KEINETH RANDOLPH And the rest of the program read: The Time of the Play: Christmas night after the children are supposed to have gone to bed, a little ill from their Christmas candies, and when the grownfolks have gathered together to talk over the day and declare that it's the best Christmas the children have ever had. The Place: The living-room at home. And if possible the room should be darkened, except for the lights on the tree, but if this is not convenient it doesn't matter in the least, for the Christmas Spirit is not afraid to walk into the most brightly-lighted room! The Persons who are in the Play: The Christmas Spirit Peggy Lee The Christmas Fairies: Happyheart Keineth Randolph Peace Marian Jenkins Goodwill Sally Penny Merrylips Fanny Penny Joy Anne Penny Spirit of Childhood Alice Lee Jesters {William Lee, Jr. {Edward Jenkins "I recognize Barbara's hand assisting," laughed Mr. Lee, as he read through the program.