"Guess I've been mighty selfish wanting so many things," he thought.
Toad and Reddy, who had moved away from the other boys, were talking together in low, excited whispers. Then, when the others went to the window to look at the green outside, they slipped from the room and hurried down the hall to the kitchen.
"Mother," called Toad from the doorway, "may we speak to you for a minute?"
Mother Brown handed the bowl in which she had been stirring something to the cook and crossed the room toward the boys, saying as she did so:
"I can only spare a few minutes to-day, Thomas, for I am very busy."
"But, Mother," exclaimed Toad, "we have a great idea!"
"It's a Christmas surprise party," chimed in Reddy, "for the O'Reillys," and together the two boys went on to tell Mrs. Brown of their plans.
"If we could just have the horse and sleigh to get around in," ventured Toad. "Do you think Father would allow us to hitch old Meg to the big sleigh?"
"It's a wonderful idea," agreed Mother Brown. "Suppose you ask him. But how about presents for the three children? Have you thought of that?"
"If it were only after Christmas we could give away some of our new things," sighed Toad.