hat there wasn't any night, for I'm afraid if I go to sleep I
shall wake up and find it is only a dream."

Night came, though, and the next day, when Tom and Bella had to go to
Norton--for the market was to be held on the Thursday, Christmas Eve,
rather than on the Bank Holiday--and never, since they began, had the two
found it so hard to start off on their day's work. There was so much to
talk over and to do at home, so much to show their father; things they had
done in the garden, and things they meant to do. He consoled them a
little, though, by promising that he would not look at anything until they
were there to show him round; and then, to cheer them in their work, there
was his interest in the donkey and cart, and the packing up of their load,
and his astonishment at the number of different things they carried in it
now.

To-day there were holly and ivy and mistletoe, as well as all the usual
things.

The weather was ideal Christmas weather, and the drive in was so
beautiful, no one's spirits could go on remaining low. In the town, too,
all was bustle and excitement. Every one seemed to be pleased and full of
pleasant mysteries and nice secrets. The shop windows were full of lovely
things, and the shops full of people buying them.

"I don't suppose we shall find any one at home," said Bella ruefully, as
she dismounted first, as usual, at Mrs. Watson's door, and, indeed, Mrs.
Watson was out 'shopping,' the maid said, but she had left an order for
some chrysanthemums, and two shillingsworth of holly, if they had any.

Then, how glad Tom was that he and Charlie had spent that long day on
Monday gathering Christmas decorations! It was Charlie's suggestion, and
Charlie was to have half the profits.

Bella rejoiced doubly at every branch of holly that was sold, for, in the
first place, it had been anything but pleasant as a travelling companion,
and, in the second, the money it sold for helped to fill up her purse, and
now, more than ever, were they anxious to earn every penny they could.

The next place they stopped at was Mrs. Adamson's. Here they found Joan
and her mother both at home. Joan's face was full of excitement when
Bella was shown into her own little private room; but Bella thought it was
all on account of a pot of hyacinths that she was bringing her, to give to
her mother as a Christmas present. Joan had ordered them weeks before,
and Bella had taken special pains to bring them on nicely, a