But that night was their last , for a gentle hand cut them all , and soon three pretty nosegays stood in a glass , waiting for dawn , to be laid at three doors , with a few grateful words which would surprise and delight the receivers , for flowers were rare in those hard-working lives , and kind deeds often come back to the givers in fairer shapes than they go . Now one would think that there had been gifts enough , and no more could possibly arrive , since all had added his or her mite except Betsey , the maid , who was off on a holiday , and the babies fast asleep in their trundle-bed , with nothing to give but love and kisses . Nobody dreamed that the old cat would take it into her head that her kittens were in danger , because Mrs. Smith had said she thought they were nearly old enough to be given away . But she must have understood , for when all was dark and still , the anxious mother went patting up stairs to the children 's door , meaning to hide her babies under their bed , sure they would save them from destruction . Mrs. Blake had shut the door , however , so poor Puss was disappointed ; but finding a soft , clean spot among a variety of curious articles , she laid her kits there , and kept them warm all night , with her head pillowed on the blue mittens . In the cold morning Dolly and Polly got up and scrambled into their clothes , not with joyful haste to see what their stockings held , for they had none , but because they had the little ones to dress while mother got the breakfast . Dolly opened the door , and started back with a cry of astonishment at the lovely spectacle before her . The other people had taken in their gifts , so nothing destroyed the magnificent effect of the treasures so curiously collected in the night . Puss had left her kits asleep , and gone down to get her own breakfast , and there , in the middle of the ruffled apron , as if in a dainty cradle , lay the two Maltese darlings , with white bibs and boots on , and white tips to the tiny tails curled round their little noses in the sweetest way . Polly and Dolly could only clasp their hands and look in rapturous silence for a minute ; then they went down on their knees and revelled in the unexpected richness before them . `` I do believe there is a Santa Claus , and that he heard us , for here is everything we wanted , '' said Dolly , holding the carnelian heart in one hand and the plummy one in the other . `` It must have been some kind of a fairy , for we did n't mention kittens , but we wanted one , and here are two darlings , '' cried Polly , almost purring with delight as the downy bunches unrolled and gaped till their bits of pink tongues were visible . `` Mrs. Smith was one fairy , I guess , and Miss Kent was another , for that is her apron . 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. XXXXX 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 .
Betsey Blake Carabas Chrome Claus Kent Polly Shrieks cloaks nosegays