"Oh, oh, oh!" she cried. "Both my stockings are full of things for me. Oh, see the packages! Oh, I am so happy! Just only look at the presents!" Uncle George left the room and Marian sat upon the rug to examine her treasures.
"Why don't you look in your stockings, Ella?" she suggested. "Let's undo our presents together."
"No, I'd rather wait and see what you'll say when you know what you've got!" Ella replied. "Mamma and I know something."
"Hush!" cautioned Aunt Amelia. "Let's see what Santa Claus has brought Marian. She knows whether she's been a deserving, grateful child or not."
Why would Aunt Amelia remind one of disagreeable things on Christmas morning? Marian's chin quivered before she took a thing from her stocking, whereupon Aunt Amelia smiled. In the meantime, Ella, becoming impatient, emptied one of her stockings in her mother's lap and began a series of squeals as toys, games and dolls tumbled out.
"Oh, what fun!" cried Marian, laughing and clapping her hands as she witnessed Ella's delight. A pitiful expression stole over her face as she turned to her own stockings. How she longed for a mother to share her joy. How she wished Aunt Amelia would smile kindly and be pleased with her gifts. The child quickly removed the paper from a round package.
"I've got a ball," she ventured. "I'll let you play with it, Ella."
"Got one of my own," said Ella, exhibiting a big rubber ball.
An exclamation of dismay burst from Marian's lips. "Why, why—it's a potato!" she cried.