"All right, honey chile!" I wondered what made Mammy Susan look at me so long and searchingly.
"Is there anything more I can do for you, Mammy?"
"No, chile, the cookery is about 'complished. All I've got ter do now is straighten up my shelbs with clean papers."
"Oh, please let me cut the papers!"
"'Deed you kin!" exclaimed the old woman delightedly. "I was afeerd you done got so growd-up with beaux an' things that you done los' yo' tase fer makin' pretty patterns fer the shelbs."
So she got out some big shears and a pile of newspapers and I outdid myself in wonderful lacy patterns and scallops that made the old kitchen beautiful for Christmas.
CHAPTER XV.
CHRISTMAS GUESTS.