BOOK III.


THE JOY OF THE SUNSHINE.



CHAPTER I.


CHRISTMAS.

No. -- East 72d Street, Dec. 28.

Milly and I have just come from a run in the Park, and here I am this
shining white morning scribbling away in my own cosey room.

My very own room--for the most delightful thing has happened; I'm visiting
Mrs. Baker--Aunt Frank I am to call her, though she is really Ma's
cousin--and she has asked me to spend the rest of the winter here.

So I've really left the den. And I didn't deserve it. Why, when Mrs. Baker
invited me to dinner on Christmas day, I dreaded the visit. I hadn't seen
her since I came from the West, and I wondered what she'd think of me, and
what she'd write to Mother. If Pa and Ma could see me now, would they say
their little Nelly'd "filled out well-favoured?"

What _would_ they say to me?