“I’m sure that you will find one,” Virginia declared as they both peered into the surprise box wondering which of the unopened packages contained the wished-for photograph. “Well, let’s open them as they come,” Megsy said at last. “Babs has purposely wrapped them in queer shapes.” It took the girls a long happy hour to untie the gifts. There were two pretty handkerchiefs, two books, “Just Patty” and “When Patty Went to College.” Two line-a-day diaries and two boxes of chocolate fudge so full of nut meats that they bulged. “It’s the kind Babs makes every Saturday night at boarding school,” Margaret said, then she added: “Oh good! Here are two letters from my darling room-mate, one for you and one for me. Now we will know all the jolly news items about Vine Haven.” “You read your letter first,” Virginia said as she piled the soft pillows back of them on the window seat and settled down for comfortable enjoyment of a visit with the far-away Babs. “All right,” Margaret agreed as she tore open the pale blue envelope out of which wafted to them a faint scent of violets. Then she began to read: Vine Haven Seminary: Dearest Megsy: Christmas without you isn’t nearly as festive as it used to be. The girls all came to our room just as they did last year to plan our mid-winter party, and though it wasn’t very complimentary to me I heartily agreed with Belle Terry when she said that our room seemed like an empty cage, out of which the song bird had flown. When the girls had gone, Megsy, I just threw myself down on your bed (no one has slept in it since you left) and I started to cry my eyes out, when I happened to remember what old Mrs. Tompkins, down at the candy shop, said once, “The best way to get over the miseries is to try to make somebody happy.” So I sprang right up and tried to think what I could do to add a mite of merriness to Christmas for you and Virginia. I decided to send you a jolly surprise box. I worked at it until long after midnight, but please don’t tell Miss Pickle, for of course I put the light out at 9 o’clock and waited until I was sure that she was asleep before I lighted it again. There isn’t a single gift in the box that has any value, but I am just sure that you two girls will enjoy opening the packages. I’m so excited about something and what that something is I will tell in my letter to Virginia. Oh, Megsy, darling room-mate, no words of mine can tell how I’m a yearning to see you. Merry Christmas and happy New Year from Babs. “Oh, Virginia, quick, open your letter and read the exciting news that Babs has to tell. I know what I do hope it is,” Margaret exclaimed eagerly. Virg had already opened her letter and so she began at once to read: