"No, we have been at the snipping business all the week, off and on, and I declare old Mrs. Hales will not have a bad pillow after all."
"Where is Alice?" said Hugh.
"She is doing her part," answered Mrs. Headley; "this is a busy time for cook, and Alice is helping her to make the puddings."
"When shall we go round, Agnes?" asked Minnie.
"On Christmas Eve, mother thinks."
"I wish it were here, then."
"I do not, for we must finish all this heap of mending first."
"You'll tell us who you give it to, Agnes, and all about your visits," said John, who loved a story as much as anyone. "It will make us 'good boys' when they are gone."
"Oh, yes," answered Agnes.
"Then we will wait patiently till then; and if you can think of anything we can help in, we are ready, mother, now it is holiday time."