“Well, I’ll just go down to the station in case she should come,” said Mr. Fairfield, smiling.
“Oh, Aunt Alice,” cried Patty, “it was lovely of you to ask Nan! Now we’ll have the whole family together.”
Mr. Fairfield soon returned, bringing Nan, who looked more pretty and charming than ever, with a sprig of holly tucked among her furs.
Patty flew at her and welcomed her warmly, for she dearly loved Nan and had not seen her since the autumn.
“When are you coming to New York?” cried Patty, “and when—oh, when are you coming to live with us?”
“Mother and I are going to New York soon after the holidays,” said Nan, “but I don’t think I shall go to live with the Fairfields until about Easter time.”
Then such a merry Christmas dinner as they had! Everybody talked and laughed so much they almost forgot to eat the array of good things Aunt Alice had provided.
“Do you remember our last family party?” asked Patty. “It was at Boxley Hall, last New Year’s Day, and I sat at the head of the table.”
“Yes,” said Aunt Alice, “and a very graceful and capable little hostess you were.”