stood up for half an hour singing all about
“good Saint Nick” with an “Oh, oh, oh, who
wouldn't go?” and the rest of it, varied with
“Jingle Bells,” “Holy Night,” and songs new
and old, learned at school and Sunday school,
where music made an especial appeal to little
Amy Lou.

“She is entertained for the next hour,” said
Mrs. Lee, as she and Betty cleared the table
after lunch. The little maid, who had been
baking and cooking all morning, was excused
for the afternoon and evening, but would come
to help with the Christmas dinner.

“And we have an invitation for the evening,
Betty. The countess said she had spoken to
you.”

“Yes'm. Are we going?”

“Yes. I scarcely thought at first that I could
manage about Amy Lou, since Lina ought to
have her evening this time; but the countess
wanted us to bring her and thinks that she 'will
enjoy it.' I was quite surprised, but the
countess said that she would appreciate our
coming, that it was not like a regular invitation
to a party, just a sudden wanting to have good
friends there. Grandma Ferris is not so well,
Betty.”

“Oh! Will you mind, Mother?”

[[148]]

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