Free A Merry Christmas by Louisa May Alcott Page B

in the middle of the ruffled apron, as if in a dainty cradle, lay the two Maltese darlings, with white bibs and boots on, and white tips to the tiny tails curled round their little noses.
    Grace and Dolly could only clasp their hands and look in rapturous silence for a minute; then they went down on their knees and reveled in the unexpected richness before them.
    â€œI do believe angels must have heard us, for here is everything we wanted,” said Dolly, holding the carnelian heart in one hand and the plumy one in the other.
    â€œHow can we ever explain this, for we didn’t mention kittens, but we wanted one, and here are two darlings,” cried Grace, almost purring with delight as the downy bunches unrolled and gaped till their bits of pink tongues were visible.
    â€œMrs. Smith must have been one angel, I guess, and Miss Kent was another, for that is her apron. I shouldn’t wonder if Mr. Chrome gave us the oranges and the money; men always have lots, and his name is on this bit of paper,” said Dolly.
    â€œOh, I’m so glad! Now we shall have a Christmas like other people, and I’ll never say again that rich folks don’t remember poor folks. Come and show all our treasures to Mother and the babies; they must have some,” answered Grace, feeling that the world was all right and life not half as hard as she thought it last night.
    Shrieks of delight greeted the sisters, and all that morning there was joy and feasting in Mrs. Blake’s room; and in the afternoon Dolly and Grace went to the theatre and actually saw
Puss ’n’ Boots
, for their mother insisted on their going, having discovered how the hard-earned quarters had been spent. This was such unhoped for bliss they could hardly believe it and kept smiling at one another so brightly that people wondered who the happy girls in the shabby cloaks could be who clapped their new mittens so heartily and laughed till it was better than music to hear them.
    This was a remarkable Christmas Day, and they long remembered it; for while they were absorbed in the fortunes of the Marquis of Carabas and the funny cat, who tucked his tail in his belt, washed his face so awkwardly, and didn’t know how to purr, strange things were happening at home, and more surprises were in store for Dolly and Grace.
    You see, when people once begin to do kindnesses, it is so easy and pleasant, they find it hard to leave off; and sometimes it beautifies them so that they find they love one another very much—as Mr. Chrome and Miss Kent discovered that wondrous day.
    They were very jolly at dinner and talked a good deal about the Blakes, who ate in their own rooms. Miss Kent told what the children said, and it touched the soft spot in all their hearts to hear about the red shirts, though they laughed at Grace’s lament over the bird with only one feather in its tail.
    â€œI’d give them a better tree if I had any place to put it and knew how to trim it up,” said Mr. Chrome, with a sudden burst of generosity, which so pleased Miss Kent that her eyes shone like Christmas candles.
    â€œPut it in the back parlor. All the Browns are away for a week, and we’ll help you trim it—won’t we, my dear?” cried Mrs. Smith warmly; for she saw that he was in a sociable mood and thought it a pity the Blakes should not profit by it.
    â€œYes, indeed, I should like it of all things, and it needn’t cost much, for I have some skill in trimming, as you know.” And Miss Kent looked so gay and pretty as she spoke that Mr. Chrome made up his mind that millinery must be a delightful occupation.
    â€œCome on then, ladies, and we’ll have a little fun. I’m a lonely old bachelor with nowhere to go today, and I’d like to be in good company and have a good time.”
    They had it, I assure you, for they all fell to work as busy as bees, flying and buzzing about with much laughter as they worked their pleasant