it, 'from her affectionate Cecy.' On it stood a great parcel of dried
cherries from Mrs. Hall. Mrs. Hall had the most _delicious_ dried
cherries, the children thought.

"How perfectly lovely everybody is!" said Katy, with grateful tears
in her eyes.

That was a pleasant Christmas. The children declared it to be the nicest
they had ever had. And though Katy couldn't quite say that, she enjoyed
it too, and was very happy.

It was several weeks before she was able to use the chair, but when once
she became accustomed to it, it proved very comfortable. Aunt Izzie
would dress her in the morning, tip the chair back till it was on a
level with the bed, and then, very gently and gradually, draw her over
on to it. Wheeling across the room was always painful, but sitting in
the window and looking out at the clouds, the people going by, and the
children playing in the snow, was delightful. How delightful nobody
knows, excepting those who, like Katy, have lain for six months in bed,
without a peep at the outside world. Every day she grew brighter and
more cheerful.

"How jolly Santa Claus was this year!" She happened to say one day, when
she was talking with Cecy. "I wish another Saint would come and pay us a
visit. But I don't know any more, except Cousin Helen, and she can't."

"There's St. Valentine," suggested Cecy.

"Sure enough. What a bright thought!" cried Katy, clapping her hands.
"Oh, Cecy, let's do something funny on Valentine's-Day! Such a good idea