Peterkin, hastened to see what was the matter.
The uncles and aunts thought somebody's house must be on fire.
The door was opened, and there was a man, white with flakes, for
it was beginning to snow, and he was pulling in a large box.
Mrs. Peterkin supposed it contained some of Elizabeth Eliza's
purchases, so she ordered it to be pushed into the back parlor, and
hastily called back her guests and the little boys into the other
room. The little boys and the small cousins were sure they had
seen Santa Claus himself.
Mr. Peterkin lighted the gas. The box was addressed to Elizabeth
Eliza. It was from the lady from Philadelphia! She had gathered a
hint from Elizabeth Eliza's letters that there was to be a
Christmas-tree, and had filled this box with all that would be
needed.
It was opened directly. There was every kind of gilt hanging-thing,
from gilt pea-pods to butterflies on springs. There were shining
flags and lanterns, and birdcages, and nests with birds sitting on
them, baskets of fruit, gilt apples and bunches of grapes, and, at
the bottom of the whole, a large box of candles and a box of
Philadelphia bonbons!
Elizabeth Eliza and Solomon John could scarcely keep from
screaming. The little boys and the small cousins knocked on the
folding-doors to ask what was the matter.
Hastily Mr. Peterkin and the rest took out the things and hung
them on the tree, and put on the candles.
Pages:
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64