At one o'clock Lala was sent to tell Marian she might come down to dinner if she would apologize to Aunt Amelia for her impertinence. Lala was forbidden to say more, but nobody thought to caution her not to laugh, and what did Lala do when she saw Marian playing the piano beside the circus parade, but laugh until the tears ran down her cheeks. Worst of all she waited on table with a broad smile on her face that made Aunt Amelia quite as uncomfortable as the mention of a pelican. Nor was it possible for Aunt Amelia to understand how a child who had been in disgrace all the forenoon, could be cheerful and ready to laugh on the slightest provocation. She thought it poor taste. After dinner Ella thrust a repentant looking stocking in Marian's hand. "Papa says the things are yours and you must have them," she explained. "What makes the stocking look so floppy?" asked Marian. "Because," Ella went on, "papa made me take all the potatoes out and there wasn't much left. You've got a handkerchief in the stocking from me and one from mamma, and----" "Please don't tell me," protested Marian. "I want to be s'prised." "Like the selfish child you are," put in Aunt Amelia, "unwilling to give your cousin a bit of pleasure." "And a box of dominoes from papa and a doll's tea set Lala gave you," finished Ella. "She'll expect a doll next," observed Aunt Amelia. "I did think Santa Claus would give me one," admitted the child, "but I had rather have the beautiful tea set. Help me set the table on this chair, Ella, and we'll play Christmas dinner. I'll let you pour the tea and----" "Ella has no time to play," her mother interrupted. "Come, little one, help mamma finish packing the baskets of presents for the poor children." "But I had rather play with Marian's tea set," pouted Ella. "You have one of your own, dearest." "It isn't as nice as Marian's, though, and I want to stay here and play." "Now you see, George," and Mrs. St. Claire turned to her husband, "now you see why I cannot allow these children to play together. You can see for yourself what an influence Marian has over our little Ella. Come, darling, have you forgotten the sleigh ride? It is time to get ready." "Me too?" questioned Marian, springing to her feet, "shall I get ready?" The child knew her mistake in less than a minute, but forgetting the uselessness of protest, she begged so earnestly to be taken with the children Aunt Amelia called her saucy, and as a punishment, the Christmas gifts, tea set and all, were put on a high shelf out of sight.