"I dare say some of them will; but Christmas time we expect a little to go to waste."
"Don't you give away some?" I asked.
"All that's asked for."
"I am so glad to hear it. I want some ever so much."
"What's up now?" she asked, scarcely with her accustomed deference.
"I want so much to have a little treat for my friends, if you will only help. It all depends on you."
"Why certainly; it's my place to cook for all the parties you choose to make. It's not my place to dictate how the victuals is to be used."
"You do not understand me. It is not here that I wish to entertain my friends. Mr. Winthrop has given his permission, on condition you are willing." She was greatly mollified at this and responded heartily. "Of course I'm willing; and, bless me, there's plenty to give a good share to them that needs it; and I guess it's them you're wanting to give it to."
"Thank you very, very much. Now you must come to my Christmas tree, and see how much pleasure you have been able to confer. Without your consent nothing would have been done."
"Yes, I'll come and help you too, and you'll need me," she said, with much good humor. I did not wait long in the kitchen, so much now must be done. Alas, Christmas day was so near I could not celebrate my festival on that day; but another day might find us just as happy; and after all it would be "curdling" too much joy into one of the shortest of our days.