It was all over by nine o'clock , and with good-night kisses for every one the little girls climbed up to bed laden with treasures and too happy for many words . But as they tied their round caps Dolly said , thoughtfully : `` On the whole , I think it 's rather nice to be poor when people are kind to you . '' `` Well , I 'd rather be rich ; but if I ca n't be , it is very good fun to have Christmas trees like this one , '' answered truthful Polly , never guessing that they had planted the seed from which the little pine-tree grew so quickly and beautifully . When the moon came to look in at the window on her nightly round , two smiling faces lay on the pillow , which was no longer wet with tears , but rather knobby with the mine of riches hidden underneath , -- first fruits of the neighborly friendship which flourished in that house until another and a merrier Christmas came . III . THE DOLLS ' JOURNEY FROM MINNESOTA TO MAINE . Mr. Plum lived in St. Paul , Minnesota , U.S.A. . There were six little Plums , all girls , varying in ages from fourteen to seven , and named Kate , Lucy , Susy , Lizzy , Marjory and Maggie . There was no mamma , but Mrs. Gibbs , the housekeeper , was a kind old soul , and papa did everything he could to make the small daughters good and happy . One stormy Saturday afternoon the children were all together in the school-room , and papa busy at his desk in the library , with the door open because he liked to hear the pleasant voices and catch glimpses of the droll plays that went on there . Kate lay on the sofa reading `` The Daisy Chain '' for the fourth time . Susy , Lucy and Lizzie were having a select tea party in their own recess , the entrance to which was barricaded with chairs to keep out the `` babies , '' as they called the little ones , who were much offended at being excluded and sat up in the cushioned window-seat pensively watching the rain . `` If it had only waited till to-morrow we should have had time for our journey ; now we ca n't go till next Saturday . Flora is so disappointed she would cry if I had not taught her to behave , '' said Maggie with a sigh , as she surveyed the doll on her knee in its new summer suit . `` So is Dora . Just see how sweet she looks with her hat and cape on and her travelling-bag all ready . Could n't we play travel in the house ? It is such a pity to wait when the children are in such a hurry to go , '' answered Marjory , settling the tiny bag that held Dora 's nightcap and gown as well as the morsels of cake that were to serve for her lunch . `` No , '' said Maggie decidedly , `` we ca n't do it , because there is no room for carriages , and boats , and railroads , and hotels , and accidents . It is a long journey from Minnesota to Maine , and we could n't get it all into one room I 'm sure . ''
`` I do n't think papa would mind our coming into the library , if we did n't ring the car bells very loud or scream much when the XXXXX happen , '' said Marjory , who hated to give up the plan they had been cherishing all the week .
Flora Gibbs Kate Lizzie Maggie Minnesota U.S.A. accidents merrier o'clock