“I’m glad it wasn’t scissors,” said his father. “He might be led into cutting corners again.”
Dorothy received a pink tin containing a cake with pink icing—all by way of recognition of her love of cooking and of pink. Roger’s gift was a set of collar and cuffs made from paper “dirt bands” and adorned with cuff buttons and a cravat of dazzling beauty.
“A man of fashion and a farmer combined,” Helen announced.
Dicky received a watering can, by way of indicating his fondness for getting into trouble with water. A fan went to Della “for next summer’s use.” Tom had a little Roman soldier as a reminder of his representation of one of the Great Twin Brethren. Margaret’s offering was a tiny Christmas Ship containing needles and a spool of thread. Helen gave herself a doll’s coat like the one which she and Margaret had copied in great numbers for the war orphans. Ethel Blue’s gift was a real present—a travelling case fitted with the necessaries of a journey. This came from all the members of the Club.
“You’re just too dear,” whispered Ethel Blue, too overcome to speak.
They drowned her voice in a burst of chatter, so that she might not burst into tears.
“I have a few gifts left,” said Helen, “and I’d like to give them out by acclamation. Whose tires have we worn until they were almost worn out and yet she has never tired?”
“Grandmother Emerson,” came the ringing answer, and Helen ran around to her grandmother’s chair and gave her a toy automobile.
“Who made the most box furniture for Rose House?”
“Roger,” shouted James at the top of his lungs, while at the same moment Roger cried “James.” The others, having been instructed to keep silent, concluded that the question was settled for them.