hool as was
left--chattered only of Laurel Cottage. They were as excited over Gramma
and Granpa's happiness, as over their own approaching holiday. All
sixty-four were planning to drink tea, on the first day of their return,
from Gramma's six cups.

Toward nine o'clock, Patty and Priscilla, by a special dispensation that
allowed late hours in vacation, received permission to accompany Conny
and ten other dear friends to the station for the western express.
Driving back alone in the "hearse," still bubbling with the hilarity of
Christmas farewells, they passed the Laurel Cottage.

"I believe they're still up!" said Priscilla. "Let's stop and wish 'em a
Merry Christmas, just to make sure they like it."

Martin was readily induced to halt; his discipline also was relaxed in
vacation. They approached the door, but hesitated at sight of the
picture revealed by the lighted window. To interrupt with the boisterous
greetings of the season, seemed like rudely breaking in upon the
seclusion of lovers. Only a glance was needed to tell them that the
house-warming was successful. Gramma and Granpa were sitting before the
fire in their comfortable red-cushioned rocking-chairs; the lamp shed a
glow on their radiant faces, as they held each other's hands and smiled
into the future.

Patty and Priscilla tiptoed away and climbed back into the hearse, a
touch sobered and thoughtful.

"You know," Patty pondered, "they are just as contented as if they lived
in a palace with a million dollars and an automobile! It's funny, isn't
it, what a little thing makes some people happy?"

VI

The Silver Buckles

"To be cooped up for three weeks with the two stupidest girls in the
school--"

"Kid McCoy isn't so bad," said Conny consolingly.

"She's a horrid little tomboy."

"But you know she's entertaining, Patty."

"She never says a word that isn't slang, and _I_ think she's the limit!"

"Well, anyway, Harriet Gladden--"

"Is perfectly dreadful and you know it. I would just as soon spend
Christmas with a weeping angel on a tombstone."

"She is pretty mournful," Priscilla agreed. "I've spent three
Christmases with her. But anyway, you'll have fun. You can be late for
meals whenever you want, and Nora lets you make candy on the kitchen
stove."

Patty sniffed disdainfully as she commenced the work of resettling her
room, after the joyous upheaval of a Christmas packing. The other two
assisted in silent sympathy. There was af