"Listen, dears!" began their mother. "As I told you before we can't have everything. I wish we could but we just plain can't, so that ends it. Therefore we must choose what we think we will get the most pleasure out of. Now who is for turkey? Raise your hands!"
Every hand came up.
"And who is for a tree?"
Again every hand was raised.
Helplessly Mrs. McGregor sank back into her chair.
"Oh, dear," sighed she. "Don't you see we are getting nowhere? I told you only a minute ago we couldn't have both."
Uncle Frederick came out from behind his paper.
"See here, you young savages," began he, laughing good-humoredly, "listen to me! If you do not get down to business and use some sense, Christmas will be here and you will have nothing at all."
A wail ascended from Nell and Martin.
"Your mother can give you either turkey or a tree; but she can't give you both. In my opinion she is almighty good to do so much."