The fat turkey was a sight to behold, when Hannah sent him up, stuffed, browned, and decorated.

So was the plum pudding, which melted in one's mouth, likewise the jellies, in which Amy reveled like a fly in a honeypot.

Everything turned out well, which was a mercy, Hannah said, "For my mind was that flustered, Mum, that it's a merrycle I didn't roast the pudding, and stuff the turkey with raisins, let alone bilin' of it in a cloth." Mr.Laurence and his grandson dined with them, also Mr.Brooke, at whom Jo glowered darkly, to Laurie's infinite amusement.

Two easy chairs stood side by side at the head of the table, in which sat Beth and her father, feasting modestly on chicken and a little fruit.

They drank healths, told stories, sang songs, 'reminisced', as the old folks say, and had a thoroughly good time.