I should n't wonder if Mr. Chrome gave us the oranges and the money : men always have lots , and his name is on this bit of paper , '' said Dolly . `` Oh , I 'm so glad ! Now we shall have a Christmas like other people , and I 'll never say again that rich folks do n't remember poor folks . Come and show all our treasures to mother and the babies ; they must have some , '' answered Polly , feeling that the world was all right , and life not half as hard as she thought it last night . Shrieks of delight greeted the sisters , and all that morning there was joy and feasting in Mrs. Blake 's room , and in the afternoon Dolly and Polly went to the Museum , and actually saw Puss in Boots ; for their mother insisted on their going , having discovered how the hard-earned quarters had been spent . This was such unhoped-for bliss that they could hardly believe it , and kept smiling at one another so brightly that people wondered who the happy little girls in shabby cloaks could be who clapped their new mittens so heartily , and laughed till it was better than music to hear them . This was a very remarkable Christmas-day , and they long remembered it ; for while they were absorbed in the fortunes of the Marquis of Carabas and the funny cat , who tucked his tail in his belt , washed his face so awkwardly , and did n't know how to purr , strange things were happening at home , and more surprises were in store for our little friends . You see , when people once begin to do kindnesses , it is so easy and pleasant they find it hard to leave off ; and sometimes it beautifies them so that they find they love one another very much -- as Mr. Chrome and Miss Kent did , though we have nothing to do with that except to tell how they made the poor little tree grow and blossom . They were very jolly at dinner , and talked a good deal about the Blakes , who ate in their own rooms . Miss Kent told what the children said , and it touched the soft spot in all their hearts to hear about the red shirts , though they laughed at Polly 's lament over the bird with only one feather in its tail . `` I 'd give them a better tree if I had any place to put it , and knew how to trim it up , '' said Mr. Chrome , with a sudden burst of generosity , which so pleased Miss Kent that her eyes shone like Christmas candles . `` Put it in the back parlor . All the Browns are away for a week , and we 'll help you trim it -- wo n't we , my dear ? '' cried Mrs. Smith , warmly ; for she saw that he was in a sociable mood , and thought it a pity that the Blakes should not profit by it . `` Yes , indeed ; I should like it of all things , and it need n't cost much , for I have some skill in trimmings , as you know . '' And Miss Kent looked so gay and pretty as she spoke that Mr. Chrome made up his mind that millinery must be a delightful occupation . `` Come on then , ladies , and we 'll have a little frolic . I 'm a lonely old bachelor , with nowhere to go to-day , and I 'd like some fun . '' They had it , I assure you ; for they all fell to work as busy as bees , flying and buzzing about with much laughter as they worked their pleasant miracle . Mr. Chrome acted more like the father of a large family than a crusty bachelor , Miss Kent 's skillful fingers flew as they never did before , and Mrs. Smith trotted up and down as briskly as if she were sixteen instead of being a stout old woman of sixty .
The children were so full of the play , and telling all about it , that they forgot their tree till after supper ; but when they went to look for it they found it gone , and in its place a great paper hand with one finger pointing down stairs , and on it these mysterious words in red ink : `` Look in the XXXXX ' back parlor ! ''
Browns Dolly Kent Puss Shrieks cloaks morning quarters right week