"Well?" echoed Agnes.
"Now for the stories of the other puddings."
"Oh, very well," said Agnes; "to resume, then.
"After we had left Mrs. Freeman's door, Minnie and I went a little further up the street. We were not sorry, I assure you, to get rid of our first heavy parcel, for our arms ached with it. At last, in the wind, and rain, and darkness, we found the house where Mrs. Hales has her home. This, you must know, consists of one little stuffy room on the second floor.
"We groped our way up the dark staircase, and, after some fumbling, we found the door of the back room and knocked at it.
"A feeble voice bade us 'Come in,' and we found ourselves in the presence of the dear old woman.
"'Well, my dear,' she said, holding out her thin hand, 'so you've come, like a Christmas blessing, to see me.'
"We sat down by her, Minnie holding the parcel in her lap. I was quite used, as you know, to her ways, so let her take her own plan, as on other days. She was seated in a high-backed chair, with an old shawl tucked behind her head as a support, and her feet resting on a small wooden box in front of the very tiniest fire you ever did see.
"She seemed very silent after the first greeting; so, as Minnie was most impatient to open our package, I asked her if she felt equal to looking at what we had brought for her.