"Began yesterday," explained Mickey. "You know I told you there was going to be a surprise. Well this is it. When the lady gave me the ribbons for you, she told me to come back to-night, and get it. Course I _could_ a-got it myself. I _would_ a-got it for Christmas----" "Oh Mickey-lovest, does Christmas come here?" "Surest thing you know!" said Mickey. "A fat stocking full of every single thing the Nurse Lady tell Santa Claus a little--a little flowersy-girl that ain't so strong yet, may have, and a big lady doll and a picture book." "But I never had no stockings," said Peaches. "Well you'll have by _that_ time," promised Mickey. "Oh Mickey, I'm so glad I want to say a prayin's 'at you found _me_, 'stead of some other kid!" exulted Peaches. "Yes Miss, and that's one thing I forgot!" said Mickey. "We'll _begin_ to-night. You ain't a properly raised lady unless you say your prayers. I know the one _She_ taught me. To-night will be a good time, 'cause you'll be so thankful for your pretty ribbons and your baby, that you'll just love to say a real thankful prayer." "Mickey, I ain't goin' to say prayin's! I just _said_ I was," explained Peaches. "I never said none for granny, 'cause she only told me to when she was drunk." "No and you never had a box of ribbons to make you look so sweet, or a baby to stay with you while I'm gone. If you ain't thankful enough for them to say your prayers, you shouldn't have them, nor any more, nor Christmas, nor anything, but just--_just like you was_." Peaches blinked, gasped, digested the statements, then yielded wholly. "I guess I'll say them. Mickey when shall I?" "To-night 'fore you go to sleep," said Mickey. "Now tell me about the baby," urged Peaches. "Sure! I _was!_ I _could_ a-got it myself, like I was telling you; but the ones in the stores have such funny clothes. They look so silly. I knew I couldn't wash them and of course they'd get dirty like everything does, and we couldn't _have_ them dirty, so I thought it over, and I said to Mickey-boy, 'if the Joy Lady is so anxious to get the baby, and sew its clothes herself, why I'll just let her,' so I did _let_ her, but it took some time to make them, so I had to wait to bring it 'til tonight. I was to go to her house after it, and when I got there she was coming home in her car from a long drive, and gee, Lily, I wish you could have seen her! She's the prettiest lady, and the most joyous lady I ever saw." "Prettier than the Nurse Lady?" asked Peaches.