Ruth. What a beautiful tree, Blanche!
Blanche. The boy is to have it to-morrow morning—it's really his tree! [Tompson brings in a large basket containing seven small stockings and six small boys' socks—very small stockings and very small socks. They are made of bright and different colors and are stuffed into absurd, bulgy shapes.] There's a name on each one. Come along now!
[Taking out a little sock. The women crowd around the basket and each hangs a sock on the tree, Miss Godesby and Clara standing on chairs.
Clara. [Reading the name on her sock.] Oh! mine's for Mr. Mason. What's in it, Blanche?
Blanche. I really can't tell you. I asked the clerk where I bought it what it was for, and he said he didn't know; it was a "Christmas present."
Miss Godesby. [Laughing.] Oh, I know the kind! Mine's for Howard Godesby. What's his present?
Blanche. A silver golf marker.
Miss Godesby. But he doesn't play golf!
Blanche. Well, he ought to; it'll keep him young.
Clara. It will be all right, anyway, Julia! You can give it away to some one next Christmas.