Florence was laughing so that she could hardly use buttons or hooks. Dot gave a neglected whine from the cradle.
"Is Granny ready?" Hal asked as she came out.
"She's just putting on her cap."
Hal went in for a Christmas kiss. Granny held him to her heart in a fond embrace, and wished the best of every thing over him.
"Merry Christmas to you all!" she said as Hal escorted her out to the middle of the room.
Joe went over on his head, and then perched himself on the back of a chair. The rest all looked at Granny.
"Is this really for me?" she asked in surprise, though the great placard stared her in the face.
The children set up a shout. Kit and Charlie paused, open-mouthed, in the act of demolishing something.
"Why, I never"—