They all laughed at Pat’s speech; they were in the joyous frame of mind when laughter comes easily.

“I want to join you in Christmas remembrances to the people who have been so good to you,” said Miss Drayton.

“I’ll send Jake Collins a ball and Peter a pocket-knife,” said Pat, “or would Jake rather have a knife, too?”

“Mrs. Collins shall have a silk dress,” said Miss Drayton.

“Oo-ee!  That will be glorious,” exclaimed Anne.  “Let it be the rustly kind.  And red.  She loves red.”

“Mr. Collins shall have an umbrella with a gorgeous silver handle,” said Mr. Patterson.  “That will be silk.  Must it be rustly and red, too?”

Anne laughed.  “Lizzie would just love a pink parasol,” she said.  “And I know what Aunt Charity would like—­a pair of big, gold-rimmed spectacles.  I heard her say she’d rather have them than anything else in the world.”

“Is her eyesight very bad?” asked Miss Drayton.

“Why—­I don’t know.  I reckon not.”  Anne looked puzzled.  “Oh! she just wants them for dress-up.  She has a pair of steel-rimmed ones now.  She pulls them down on her nose so she can see over them, you know.”

Mr. Patterson threw back his head and laughed till he was red in the face.  “She shall have them,” he said, as soon as he could speak.  “She shall have the very biggest pair of gold-rimmed spectacles with plain glass lens that Claflin’s shop affords.  May I live to see her wear them!  And we’ll send her a good warm shawl besides and Uncle Richard shall have—­shall have a blue overcoat with brass buttons.”

“Goody, goody, goody!” cried Anne, clapping her hands.  “Oh, please, I just must kiss you.”

“Good pay—­and in advance,” said Mr. Patterson.  “But I charge two kisses,” which he proceeded to take.

“What would Miss Farlow like?” inquired Miss Drayton.

“I know,” said Anne.  “Gloves.  You just ought to see her shoe-polishing her rusty finger-tips.  And she looks like she likes herself so much better when she has a new pair.”

“She shall have a boxful,” Miss Drayton declared; “and the girls—­would they be allowed to wear red hair-ribbons and embroidered collars?”

“Oh, please, Miss Drayton—­Aunt Sarah, I mean,” said Anne, “don’t let’s send them a single useful thing.  Just a box full of games and story-books and a box of candy for each one, with a ribbon round it and little silver tongs inside.”

“Good!  That’s the thing,” agreed Mr. Patterson, consulting his watch and jumping up from the table.  “Here! can’t you all join me in the Boston House to-day at twelve-thirty to select a gift for ’Lop?  I want the noisiest mechanical toy there is.”

“Poor Mrs. Marshall!” laughed Miss Drayton.

We may not follow the merry party on that shopping trip.  But let me assure you that boxes were sent to all the Virginia friends and that there were generous gifts for Cousin Dorcas and Miss Margery.  They were certainly well selected, for each person said that his or her gift was just exactly what was most desired.