d always had presents,
and she never failed to give Delia a gift, but there was no scent of
mystery about the holiday celebration; no delicious odor of a hidden
Christmas tree; no sense of unseen tokens; nothing to distinguish the
time from an ordinary birthday anniversary. But this year everything
was changed, and Nan was as much occupied with her own secrets and
surprises as either Miss Blake or Delia, who whispered and dodged and
smiled cunningly all day long in the most perplexing manner. But she
confined her preparations to her own room, while the governess
apparently needed the library and all the rest of the house, too, and
Nan found herself barred out of Miss Blake's room by her own stubborn
pride which still forbade her to go in without a formal invitation.
She was also locked out of the library which was now being made festive
for the coming holiday, so that at times she wandered about quite
helplessly in a sort of forlorn state of having nowhere to turn.

She had fallen into the habit of running over to the Newton's while
Ruth was sick, and she proved such a tender nurse and entertaining
companion that the child's mother looked forward with relief to her
visits, and only wished she would come oftener.

"She keeps Ruth so happy and contented. It gives me a free minute to
turn 'round in, and is a real comfort."

"I thought you would find her helpful," responded Miss Blake. "She
loves children, and they know it and love her back again. She is very
gentle with them, and I know you may trust her, for she is as true as
steel."

"She's a changed girl, that's the whole truth of the matter. You've
simply tamed her, the young savage!"

"Oh, Nan has a fine nature. All she needs is judicious training. If I
were not sure of that I should despair many and many a time. She needs
judicious training and a world of patience and love."

Mrs. Newton dropped her work into her lap and looked up earnestly into
the governess' face.

"Yes, I can believe it. What a rash, head-long sort of creature you
must think me! Why, I was as bad as Nan herself, to go over there and
simply browbeat her as I did! Do you suppose she will ever really
forgive me?"

"I'm sure she has done so already. Nan is generous. She does not bear
malice. She has a vast amount of pride but as yet she does not know
how to use it."

"I should think it would be enough to break down your health--such
constant care and responsibility. It is N