Miss Cornelia was not going to sit with idle hands, even on Christmas.
Babies come without any consideration for holidays, and there was one expected in a poverty-stricken household at Glen St.Mary.

Miss Cornelia had sent that household a substantial dinner for its little swarm, and so meant to eat her own with a comfortable conscience.
"Well, you know, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, Cornelia," explained Captain Jim.
"I believe you--when he HAS a heart," retorted Miss Cornelia.

"I suppose that's why so many women kill themselves cooking--just as poor Amelia Baxter did.

She died last Christmas morning, and she said it was the first Christmas since she was married that she didn't have to cook a big, twenty-plate dinner.

It must have been a real pleasant change for her.