THE HOUSE OF THE GRANDMOTHERS.
CHAPTER III.—Mary Ellen’s Christmas and New-Year’s.
Two other celebrations followed little Mary Ellen’s birthday as fast as possible. Mary Ellen’s mama said the baby’s six grandmothers made her dizzy with their frolicsome plans.
THE SIX STOCKINGS.
But Christmas was coming, and certainly a baby’s first Christmas must be celebrated.
Great-grandmother Day, one of Mary Ellen’s father’s grandmothers, said one day to Mama Nan, “I suppose Mary Ellen has six stockings?”
“Why, yes, I suppose so—why do you ask?”
“You may hang them for her Christmas Eve,” said the venerable lady. “Stockings have never been hung in this house, but Mary Ellen probably will have to be indulged.”
Great-grandmother Day was the oldest of the four great-grandmothers. She was a very dignified old lady, and wore steel-bowed spectacles and carried a snuff-box in her pocket with a vanilla bean in it, and was treated with the greatest respect throughout the house.
Christmas Eve, six baby socks hung in a row in the nursery, and what do you think was in them next morning?