Aunt Phyllis stood looking on with a smile, happy in seeing four people entirely happy, content to leave her advice out, if an hour should be passed in peaceful occupation.
Minnie had turned to her beloved doll, and while the others were so busy Alice condescended to draw near her, and was soon playing with it as heartily as her little sister.
All were surprised when at four o'clock the dinner bell pealed forth, and John exclaimed:
"Auntie, we've accomplished it! I really thought it never was going to come."
"I'm 'going to come' down to dinner," said Hugh, "so help me roll it up, John, for grandmama's awfully particular about her work, arn't you grandma?"
Mrs. Headley nodded, well pleased with the compliment, and then John gave his arm to his grandmother, and they all went down.
When dinner was over they returned to the drawing-room, and their aunt produced some new games which she had been half over London to procure for them.
They all gathered round the oval table, which stood in one corner, and quickly took up the idea of the game, Aunt Phyllis making one of them. Minnie was too young for what Hugh called its intricacies, and contented herself with dividing her attention in a threefold manner between her grandmother, her doll, and the cat.
After tea they sang together, and the girls played a duet which they had practised for the occasion, finishing with some hymns in which all could join.
"This has been a happy Christmas in spite of their being away," said Alice, sighing deeply, as they stood round the fire before going home.