"And the one I got, you say is too short," pouted Mike.
"And mine was lop-sided," added Chinky.
"And I can't decide on any of them," laughed Hannah.
"Oh, I thay!" cried Stubbins, "I know a man what'll know a good Chrithmuth tree when he theeth it."
"That's a fact," approved Mrs. Mulvaney, "trot right over and ask Mr. Hodgkins for his advice."
Appealed to by the seven, Mr. Hodgkins went to the woods with his young neighbours one bright December day and chose a large, perfectly shaped spruce.
"It won't do," declared Hannah.
"Why?"
"It's too big, Mr. Hodgkins, we'd have to cut a hole through the ceiling to make it stand in our sitting-room."
Mr. Hodgkins laughed aloud.