“Oh—dear—me! Merry Christmas!” returned Agnes. “But why be so noisy about it?”
“Come over here, Miss Lazybones,” cried Ruth, “and see what Santa Claus has brought the children.”
“What’s that?” demanded Agnes, as she hopped out of bed. “Who’s going down the back stairs?”
“Linda,” said Ruth. “Can’t you tell those clod-hopper shoes she wears? I wonder if everybody in Finland wears such footgear?”
“Maybe she’s going to look at her stocking,” Tess said. “I hope she likes the handkerchiefs I monogrammed for her.”
But before long the pungent smell of freshly ground coffee came up the back stairway and assured the girls that the serving maid was at work.
“Why so ear—ear—ear-ly?” yawned Agnes, again. “Why! it’s still pitch-dark.”
Uncle Rufus was usually the first astir in the Corner House and Linda was not noted for early rising. But now the girls heard the stairs creak again—this time under Mrs. MacCall’s firm tread.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Mac!” they all shouted.
The smiling Scotchwoman came to the door with her bedroom candle in her hand.