“It’s just one girl, our jolly old Ann Maria, and ‘Cousin Elizabeth’ and ‘Cousin Libbie’ are the same,—Mrs. Van Ness. She was the pretty lady in gray. And that perfect dear in the mink furs,—do you remember her? That was Aunt Mate or Aunt Mary,—Mrs. Hart. She is always making everybody feel comfortable in their minds. Then we have two Charlottes. You’ll see.”
“You don’t blame me, do you, Philip?” and Hilary whirled around to where Phil sat reading by the library fire.
“Indeed I don’t. Anybody that could get the Van Nesses and Van Buskirks and all the rest of ’em in two or three days would be a wonder.”
“Good! Where’s June’s candy? Take it all, Philip!”
“Thanks, kind lady, what else can I do for you?”
“O, Phil, get your guitar and sing college songs for us,—do!” As Cathalina spoke she started for the instrument.
“Can’t possibly tonight. We’ll have a sing tomorrow night, all hands of us. Besides,” here Philip coughed affectedly and finished on a high falsetto, “I have such a cold!”
Cathalina laughed. “All right till after dinner. You know Father and Mother always want some music on Christmas Eve.”
At bedtime the two girls undressed before Hilary’s fire. Cathalina thought that Hilary might be lonely on Christmas Eve, so she dismissed Etta and they chatted by themselves.
“Isn’t Christmas the most beautiful time? Will you go to church tomorrow?”