night whisper into dolly's ear that now she did n't
mind half so much not being like other girls who could run and play,
because she had her to love and care for.

And then the candy that was marked for all of us--and such candy! All
their lives the children have longingly gazed at such candy through
store windows, and dreamed what it might taste like; but to have it
right in their hands--in their mouths! You should have heard their
rapturous sighs of content as it disappeared.

And now, dear Cousin Margaret, can you see a little what that Christmas
box has been to us? I can't bear to say, "Thank you"; it seems so
commonplace and inadequate. And yet there is n't anything else I can
say. And we do thank you, each and every one of us. We thank you both
for our own gift, and for all the others, for each one's gift is making
all the others happy. Do you see? Oh, I hope you do see and that you
do understand that we appreciate all the care and pains you must have
taken to select just the present that each of us most longed for.

Lovingly and gratefully yours,
MARY.

Polly Ann's voice quivered into silence. It had already broken once or
twice, and it was very husky toward the last. For a moment no one
spoke; then with an evident attempt at carelessness Margaret said: "I
guess, Polly Ann, I won't write to Mary at all that there was any
mistake. We 'll let it--pass."

There was no answer. Twice Polly Ann opened her lips, but no sound
came. After a moment she got to her feet, and walked slowly across the
room. At the door she turned abruptly.

"Aunt Margaret," she panted, "I suppose I ought to tell you. There
wa'n't any--mistake. I--I changed those presents on purpose." Then
she went out quickly and shut the door.

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