d-rimmed spectacles with plain
glass lens that Claflin's shop affords. May I live to see her wear them!
And we'll send her a good warm shawl besides and Uncle Richard shall
have--shall have a blue overcoat with brass buttons."

"Goody, goody, goody!" cried Anne, clapping her hands. "Oh, please, I
just must kiss you."

"Good pay--and in advance," said Mr. Patterson. "But I charge two
kisses," which he proceeded to take.

"What would Miss Farlow like?" inquired Miss Drayton.

"I know," said Anne. "Gloves. You just ought to see her shoe-polishing
her rusty finger-tips. And she looks like she likes herself so much
better when she has a new pair."

"She shall have a boxful," Miss Drayton declared; "and the girls--would
they be allowed to wear red hair-ribbons and embroidered collars?"

"Oh, please, Miss Drayton--Aunt Sarah, I mean," said Anne, "don't let's
send them a single useful thing. Just a box full of games and
story-books and a box of candy for each one, with a ribbon round it and
little silver tongs inside."

"Good! That's the thing," agreed Mr. Patterson, consulting his watch and
jumping up from the table. "Here! can't you all join me in the Boston
House to-day at twelve-thirty to select a gift for 'Lop? I want the
noisiest mechanical toy there is."

"Poor Mrs. Marshall!" laughed Miss Drayton.

We may not follow the merry party on that shopping trip. But let me
assure you that boxes were sent to all the Virginia friends and that
there were generous gifts for Cousin Dorcas and Miss Margery. They were
certainly well selected, for each person said that his or her gift was
just exactly what was most desired.

The maid who opened the door that afternoon to the weary, happy,
home-coming party of Christmas shoppers said, "Please, Miss Drayton,
there's a lady and two little boys in the back parlor to see Miss Anne.
They've been waiting an hour. The biggest boy's dreadful impatient and
he stamped and screamed awful because I couldn't go and bring her home."

"Why, it must be 'Lop," exclaimed Anne.

Dunlop it was, with his mother and Arthur.

"He would come," said Mrs. Marshall. "He clamored to start as soon as we
read the letter this morning. I feared he'd worry himself sick. He's so
nervous and high-strung," she explained to Miss Drayton.

"Papa promised me a little automobile if I'd stay at home," said Dunlop,
hanging to Anne's hand. "I told him I'd rather see Anne."

"Oh!" Anne kissed him.

"'Spect I'l