She smiled with the older people and laughed with the children.

How good it was to laugh again, she thought.

When the tree was fully ablaze, all, with the exception of Mr.Hickson joined hands and danced around it.

Then they had to taste of the various and doubtful makings of candies, and ate a bread-pan of snow-white popcorn sprinkled with melted butter.

Then Mr.Hickson told some stories, and his wife in a clear, sweet voice led the children in some Christmas songs.