After the morning meal had been eaten, John devoured the contents of a candy-filled cornucopia from the tree, and drew on his stocking cap, coat, and mittens. Louise's presents were to be delivered, and that was a matter which brooked no unseemly delay.
Mrs. Martin's sister answered his ring at the apartment.
"Louise home?" he inquired eagerly.
Her aunt explained that Louise had gone out of town with her mother for a three-day Christmas visit.
"She'll be back, the day after tomorrow," she consoled him.
So he left the presents in her charge with instructions to give them to his lady on the very moment of her arrival, and scampered down the carpeted stairway again.
Sid DuPree met him in front of his house. John surveyed him warily.
"'Lo!"
"'Lo!"
"What'd your folks give you?"