VIII FOILED AGAIN
IX WORSE, AND MORE OF IT
X A WELL LAID PLAN
XI GANG AGLEY AGAIN
XII AN AMAZING CHRISTMAS




MRS. BUDLONG'S CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

I

AT THE SIGN OF THE PIANO LAMP

The morning after Christmas Eve is the worst morning-after there is.
The very house suffers the headache that follows a prolonged spree.
Remorse stalks at large; remorse for the things one gave--and did not
give--and got.

Everybody must act a general glee which can be felt only
specifically, if at all. Everybody must exclaim about everything Oh!
and Ah! and How Sweet of You! and Isn't it Perfectly Dear! The very
THING I Wanted! and How DID you EVER Guess it?

Christmas morning in the town of Carthage is a day when most of the
people keep close at home, for Christmas is another passover. It is
Santa Claus that passes over.

People in Carthage are not rich; the shops are not grandiose, and