light supper was served. It seemed the easiest
thing in the world in this house for little tables
to be arranged and everything lovely to appear
as if by magic. But when Betty said as much
to her mother afterward, her mother smiled.
“It is good planning, Betty, but also competent
help, trained to service,” she said.

Amy Lou woke up and behaved like an angel,
according to Doris, who did not realize that
Amy Lou was now a properly trained little
school girl, not a baby any longer. Doris, very
much impressed with her surroundings, had
been quietly engaged with some books during
the first part of the evening. Then the arrival
of a friend of the countess, with a girl of about
the same age and a boy a little older than Dick,
had put the finishing touch to the visit. There
had been music and games, while Lucia and
Betty had been carolling.

Countess Coletti explained to Mrs. Lee, as
Betty learned on the way home. “She told me,
Betty, that she had felt the need of us as well
as liking to entertain us on Christmas Eve, but
that when she found her fears about Mrs. Ferris
were unnecessary -- she was so much better -- she
decided to make it a gayer occasion than it might
have been. Friends called up and she took the
opportunity to invite them in, adding a few

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