They were all to have a sort of early tea, and then those who felt like it would proceed to the village schoolroom, and help with the Christmas Treat.
An important feature of the proceedings was to be a short speech by Lionel Varick.

Blanche had found, to her surprise and amusement, that he had set his heart on making it.

He wanted to get into touch with his poorer neighbours--not only in a material sense, by distributing gifts of beef and blankets; that he had already arranged to do--but in a closer, more human sense.

No one she had ever known desired more ardently to be liked than did the new owner of Wyndfell Hall.
The programme was carried out to the letter.

They all drank a cup of tea standing in the hall when dressed ready for their expedition.