Invite me some evening after the holidays.

Good-bye, Arline." She extended her hand, but Arline put both arms around Grace's neck, kissing her warmly.

"I hope I can do something for you some day," she whispered.

After the usual good wishes for a Merry Christmas had been exchanged, Grace emerged from the house, filled with that sense of warmth and elation that comes from having made others happy.

She smiled to herself as her mother's face rose before her.