so kind , so very kind ! I have no way to say `` thank you ; '' but Ranza shall be for you a heavenly angel , and I will sing my heart out for your tree ! ' cried Tessa , folding the mittens as if she would say a prayer of thankfulness if she knew how . Then they went away , and the pretty children called after them , ` Come again , Tessa ! come again , Tommo ! ' Now the rain did n't seem dismal , the wind cold , nor the way long , as they bought their gifts and hurried home , for kind words and the sweet magic of charity had changed all the world to them . I think the good spirits who fly about on Christmas Eve , to help the loving fillers of little stockings , smiled very kindly on Tessa as she brooded joyfully over the small store of presents that seemed so magnificent to her . All the goodies were divided evenly into three parts and stowed away in father 's three big socks , which hung against the curtain . With her three dollars , she had got a pair of shoes for Nono , a knit cap for Sep , and a pair of white stockings for Ranza ; to her she also gave the new hood ; to Nono the mittens ; and to Sep the tippet . ` Now the dear boys can go out , and my Ranza will be ready for the lady to see , in her nice new things , ' said Tessa , quite sighing with pleasure to see how well the gifts looked pinned up beside the bulging socks , which would n't hold them all . The little mother kept nothing for herself but the pleasure of giving everything away ; yet , I think , she was both richer and happier than if she had kept them all . Her father laughed as he had not done since the mother died , when he saw how comically the old curtain had broken out into boots and hoods , stockings and tippets . ' I wish I had a gold gown and a silver hat for thee , my Tessa , thou art so good . May the saints bless and keep thee always ! ' said Peter Benari tenderly , as he held his little daughter close , and gave her the good-night kiss . Tessa felt very rich as she crept under the faded counterpane , feeling as if she had received a lovely gift , and fell happily asleep with chubby Ranza in her arms , and the two rough black heads peeping out at the foot of the bed . She dreamed wonderful dreams that night , and woke in the morning to find real wonders before her eyes . She got up early , to see if the socks were all right , and there she found the most astonishing sight . Four socks , instead of three ; and by the fourth , pinned out quite elegantly was a little dress , evidently meant for her -- a warm , woollen dress , all made , and actually with bright buttons on it . It nearly took her breath away ; so did the new boots on the floor , and the funny long stocking like a grey sausage , with a wooden doll staring out at the top , as if she said , politely , ' A Merry Christmas , ma'am ! '
XXXXX screamed and danced in her delight , and up tumbled all the children to scream and dance with her , making a regular carnival on a small scale .
Benari Nono Tessa counterpane dollars fillers fourth morning right tippet