But she's bound to have a good Christmas, and we'll make her a present besides." Kate was delighted with his idea, and immediately began to suggest all sorts of things for the present.

If Harry chose to buy anything that she could "make up," she would go right to work at it.

But Harry could not think of anything that would suit exactly, and neither could Kate, nor their mother; and when Mr.Loudon was taken into council, at dinner-time, he could suggest nothing but an army blanket--which suggestion met with no favor at all.
At last Mr.Loudon advised that they should ask Aunt Matilda what she would like to have for a present.
"There's no better way of suiting her than that," said he.
So Harry and Kate went down to the old woman's cabin that afternoon, after school, and asked her.
Aunt Matilda did not hesitate an instant.
"Ef you chil'en is really a-goin' to give me a present, there ain't nothin' I'd rather have than a Chrismis tree." "A Christmas tree!" cried Harry and Kate both bursting out laughing.
"Yes, indeed, chil'en.

Ef ye give me anything, give me a good big fiery Chrismis tree like you all had, year 'fore las'." Two years before, Harry and Kate had had their last Christmas tree.
There were no younger children, and these two were now considered to have outgrown that method of celebrating Christmas.

But they had missed their tree last year--missed it very much.
And now Aunt Matilda wanted one.