We spent the evening speculating on the possible contents of the chest , and Cecily dreamed miserably that night that the moths had eaten everything in it . The morning dawned on a beautiful world . A very slight fall of snow had come in the night -- just enough to look like a filmy veil of lace flung over the dark evergreens , and the hard frozen ground . A new blossom time seemed to have revisited the orchard . The spruce wood behind the house appeared to be woven out of enchantment . There is nothing more beautiful than a thickly growing wood of firs lightly powdered with new-fallen snow . As the sun remained hidden by gray clouds , this fairy-beauty lasted all day . The Story Girl came over early in the morning , and Sara Ray , to whom faithful Cecily had sent word , was also on hand . Felicity did not approve of this . `` Sara Ray is n't any relation to our family , '' she scolded to Cecily , `` and she has no right to be present . '' `` She 's a particular friend of mine , '' said Cecily with dignity . `` We have her in everything , and it would hurt her feelings dreadfully to be left out of this . Peter is no relation either , but he is going to be here when we open it , so why should n't Sara ? '' `` Peter ai n't a member of the family YET , but maybe he will be some day . Hey , Felicity ? '' said Dan . `` You 're awful smart , are n't you , Dan King ? '' said Felicity , reddening . `` Perhaps you 'd like to send for Kitty Marr , too -- though she DOES laugh at your big mouth . '' `` It seems as if ten o'clock would never come , '' sighed the Story Girl .
`` The work is all done , and Aunt Olivia and Uncle Roger are here , and the chest might just as well be opened XXXXX away . ''
Dan Sara day evergreens firs left morning night o'clock right