"Purty nigh burned up." Grace composed her face and tried to explain that burning the plum pudding was an old English custom, and that, instead of destroying the pudding, it added to its flavor, but the jacks shook their heads, probably thinking that she was saying this to make sport of them.

After the pudding had been served, the jacks tasted it gingerly, then smacking their lips they quickly devoured it.

Coffee and nuts followed, and the meal came to an end.
"We will now view the Christmas tree," announced Hippy.

"Outside there are millions of Christmas trees, all dolled up with fancy spangles, but they aren't like this tree, as you will see.

Pull the string, Emma!" A real Christmas tree was revealed as Emma Dean draped back the flag, a tree decorated with lights and spangles, its branches bending low under the weight of gifts.