"Done!" answered Di, and then turned to meet Sophie, who came in looking as fresh as an Alpine rose with the wintry wind. "You dear thing! we were just talking of you. Sit here and get warm, and let us show you our gifts. We are almost done, but it seems as if it got to be a harder job each Christmas. Don’t you find it so?" "But no; I think it the most charming work of all the year," answered Sophie, greeting her friend, and putting her well-worn boots toward the fire to dry. "Perhaps you don’t make as much of Christmas as we do, or give such expensive presents. That would make a great difference, you know," said Di, as she lifted a cloth from the table where her own generous store of gifts was set forth. "I had a piano last year, a set of jewels, and many pretty trifles from all at home. Here is one;" and pulling the fine gold chain hidden under her frills, Sophie showed a locket set thick with pearls, containing a picture of her mother. "It must be so nice to be rich, and able to make such fine presents. I ’ve got something for you; but I shall be ashamed of it after I see your gift to me, I ’m afraid." Fan and Dora were working as if their bread depended on it, while Di, with a naughty twinkle in her eye, affected to be rearranging her pretty table as she talked. "Do not fear that; my gifts this year are very simple ones. I did not know your custom, and now it is too late. My comfort is that you need nothing, and having so much, you will not care for my--what you call--coming short." Was it the fire that made Sophie’s face look so hot, and a cold that gave a husky sort of tone to her usually clear voice? A curious expression came into her face as her eyes roved from the table to the gay trifles in her friend’s hands; and she opened her lips as if to add something impulsively. But nothing came, and for a moment she looked straight out at the storm as if she had forgotten where she was. "’Shortcoming’ is the proper way to speak it But never mind that, and tell me why you say ’too late’?" asked Di, bent on winning her wager. "Christmas comes in three days, and I have no time," began Sophie. "But with money one can buy plenty of lovely things in one day," said Di. "No, it is better to put a little love and hard work into what we give to friends, I have done that with my trifles, and another year I shall be more ready." There was an uncomfortable pause, for Sophie did not speak with her usual frankness, but looked both proud and ashamed, and seemed anxious to change the subject, as she began to admire Dora’s work, which had made very little progress during the last fifteen minutes. Fanny glanced at Di with a smile that made the other toss her head and return to the charge with renewed vigor. "Sophie, will you do me a favor?" "With much pleasure." "Do has promised me a whole box of French bonbons, and if you will answer three questions, you shall have it." "_Allons_," said Sophie, smiling.