`` If Father and Mother are willing , '' said Ida . `` Wo n't it be jolly ! '' exclaimed the twins . `` Well , rather , '' said Darby scornfully . He did not mean to be scornful . He had heard Frank saying the same words in the same tone , and thought it signified approval . Cousin Myra had a talk with Father and Mother Osborne that night , and found them heartily in sympathy with her plans . For the next week the Osbornes were agog with excitement and interest . At first Cousin Myra made the suggestions , but their enthusiasm soon outstripped her , and they thought out things for themselves . Never did a week pass so quickly . And the Osbornes had never had such fun , either . Christmas morning there was not a single present given or received at `` The Firs '' except those which Cousin Myra and Mr. and Mrs. Osborne gave to each other . The junior Osbornes had asked that the money which their parents had planned to spend in presents for them be given to them the previous week ; and given it was , without a word . The uncles and aunts arrived in due time , but not with them was the junior Osbornes ' concern . They were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Osborne . The junior Osbornes were having a Christmas dinner party of their own . In the small dining room a table was spread and loaded with good things . Ida and the twins cooked that dinner all by themselves . To be sure , Cousin Myra had helped some , and Frank and Darby had stoned all the raisins and helped pull the home-made candy ; and all together they had decorated the small dining room royally with Christmas greens . Then their guests came .
First , all the little Rolands from the Hollow arrived -- seven in all , XXXXX very red , shining faces and not a word to say for themselves , so shy were they .
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