At the right of the man from Leavenworth sat none less than Curly, the same whose cow pony, with bridle thrown down over its head, now stood nodding in the bright flood of the moonlight of Heart's Desire.

At the side of Curly was the Littlest Girl from Kansas, and she was looking into his eyes.
It was thus that the social compact was first set on in the valley of Heart's Desire.
A vast steaming fragrance arose from the bowl which stood at the head of the table.

In the home of the girl from Kansas there was light, warmth, comfort, joy.

It was Christmas, after all.
"By the great jumpin' Jehossophat!" said Tom Osby, "them's _our_ oysters!" "And to think," mused Dan Anderson, softly, as we turned away,--"we _fried_ ours!".