In less than an hour they had returned, the greetings were over,
grandmother had taken Aunt Martha off to her room for the predicted
chat, and the two little girls were taking their cousin James to the
library. He had been told about the pie and was curious to know what it
really looked like, for James was not gifted with a vivid imagination.

He soon found out, however. Aunt Alice had covered over the entire top
of the old mahogany library table with soft cotton, and hanging from
the edges was a deep border of the lovely Christmas paper which is used
so much in these latter days for decorations. Around the edges were laid
sprays of the rarer and more delicate evergreen sent from the South
by the loving daughter. In the center rose the pie, and over all was
sprinkled the glistening powder, which gave the whole an appearance of
real snow. It was, in truth, a wonderful creation, and the children
gazed at the lovely vision in speechless delight.

"The big box, containing the comfort, is behind the piano, James, and
there are lots of other things, too big to go in the pie, stowed away in
the various corners of the room, but the cards are all in the pie, and
each tells just where to find a package. Some lovely flowers and plants
have been sent in this afternoon, but we'll wait until morning to bring
them into the library. There is the couch close beside the fireplace,
and if dear father is just able to be brought in to-morrow I think he
will fully enjoy the Christmas we have had so much pleasure in preparing
for him. Suppose we go out now, for it is tea-time, and, besides, almost
everything has been done."

So saying, Alice turned to the door. The little party hastened out, and
its members were soon engaged in a romp with Uncle Dick in the sitting
room.

VI.

A more beautiful Christmas Day could scarcely have been imagined than
dawned the next morning. The earth was covered with a carpet of snow,
and the trees seemed to glisten with diamonds as the sun rose, although
the air was crisp and frosty.

"Merry Christmas!" sounded in Alice's ears before she had fully wakened,
and looking round with a somewhat sleepy expression she beheld the form
of her beloved pet, arrayed in pink dressing-gown and slippers. A
beaming smile adorned the face of the little girl, although the greeting
had been so subdued as to be scarcely more than a whisper.

"I just couldn't wait to show you how well I look in them!" exclaimed
Al