At that moment Uncle Rufus came to announce that all was ready, and he tucked a twist of paper into Agnes’ hand.
“Oh, Ruthie! look here!” the second sister said. “Read this.”
The oldest Corner House girl saw it was the handwriting of their boy friend.
“‘Don’t worry. Santa Claus will appear according to schedule.’ Oh! that is all right, then,” Ruth said. “He’s not coming till after we get through.”
“Well! I think that’s too mean of him,” cried Agnes.
But Ruth was somewhat relieved. They went in to dinner, a quiet, but really happy party.
The old dining room looked lovely, and the lighted tree in the corner was a brilliant spectacle. Ruth’s idea of lighting the room completely by candles proved a good one. The soft glow of the wax-lights over the ancient silver and sparkling cut-glass was attractive.
Mrs. MacCall presided, as always. The girls would not hear to her only directing the dinner from the kitchen. Aunt Sarah Maltby, in her best black silk and ivory lace, seemed to have imbibed a share of the holiday spirit, for once at least. She was quite talkative and gracious at the other end of the table.
Without Neale O’Neil, Ruth found that the table could be much better balanced. Mrs. Eland sat between Tess and Dot on one side of the long board, while Miss Pepperill’s place was between the two older Corner House girls.
Uncle Rufus came in chuckling toward the close of the meal and whispered something to Ruth. Almost immediately she excused Tess and Dot to run up for their dolls. The presents were to be taken off the tree and there might be some for the Alice-doll and Tess’ most treasured doll, too.