"Dan'el got me a twelve-pound turkey and lots of other things; and he wants a regular old-fashioned Christmas, with all the Larkums here; and then I have one or two little folks I'm going to have in to please myself. Poor little creatures, with a drunken father and no mother worth speaking about." "Have you very much trade now?" "Well, consid'able; but if you're wanting me for anything I can set up later to-night." "Oh, no, indeed. I just wanted to consult you about something, and I will help you stone these raisins while I sit with you." "Dear heart, you needn't do that; I'll get the pudding made in plenty of time, but what kindness have you in your plans now?" "A Christmas tree. I want you to tell me what to do, and where to have it." "Why, the Temperance Hall, of course, just past the mills. I guess you've never seen it." "That will be excellent. I did not know you had one here. Now, when shall we have it? To-morrow will be too soon, I am afraid." "Yes, and it seems a pity to have so many good things all to onct. Most everybody has a Christmas of some sort. How would Friday do." "Very nicely. That will be two days after Christmas. Little folks will have recovered from the effects of their feasting by that time." "Well, Dan'el 'll get a tree and fix up the Hall; and tell, then, who you'll want to invite." "All the children on the Mill Road may come. We will have something for each of them." "I'm very glad; for there's a few children around here that hardly knows what it is to have anything good to eat; and it'll be something for 'em to think and talk about. They'll not forget it, or you, for a good many years, I can tell you. If rich folks only knew how much good they might do, I think they'd not be so neglectful." I soon left Mrs. Blake to continue her Christmas preparations alone, feeling much relieved that Daniel was going to assume the responsibility of securing the Hall, providing the tree, and notifying my guests. I got my presents for Thomas and Samuel, and then set about the purchase of gifts for the Christmas tree. Picture-books, jack-knives, dolls, and other toys comprised my selection. These, I concluded, would give the children more pleasure than the more necessary articles which an older and wiser person would naturally have selected. I had got so absorbed in my work that I quite forgot our expected guest until I went into the dining-room, unfortunately a little late, and found them already engaged at dinner, and Mr. Bovyer with them. Mr. Winthrop explained my tardiness in such a way that I was left a little cross and uncomfortable, and took my dinner something after the fashion of a naughty child suffering from reproof. Before the evening was over, however, I had forgotten my passing dissatisfaction; for Mr. Bovyer was in one of his inspired moods when he sat at the piano.