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. 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. XXXXX made up his mind that millinery must be a delightful occupation .
Blakes Christmas-day Chrome Kent Polly Puss Shrieks Smith bunches week