`` Just as you say , '' agreed Mr. Ralston . `` I like the idea of giving the small folk of this household a rousing good Christmas for once . They 're poor I know , and I dare say pretty well pinched this year like most of the farmers hereabout after the crop failure . '' Mrs. Ralston untied the cover of the big basket . Then the two of them , moving as stealthily as if engaged in a burglary , transferred the contents to the table . Mr. Ralston got out a small pencil and a note book , and by dint of comparing the names attached to the gifts on the table they managed to divide theirs up pretty evenly among the little Josephs . When all was done Mrs. Ralston said , `` Now , I 'm going to spread that tablecloth carelessly over the table . We will be going before daylight , probably , and in the hurry of getting off I hope that Mr. and Mrs. Joseph will not notice the difference till we 're gone . '' It fell out as Mrs. Ralston had planned . The dawn broke fine and clear over a vast white world . Mr. and Mrs. Joseph were early astir ; breakfast for the storm-stayed travellers was cooked and eaten by lamplight ; then the horse and sleigh were brought to the door and Mr. Ralston carried out his empty basket . `` I expect the trail will be heavy , '' he said , `` but I guess we 'd get to Lindsay in time for dinner , anyway . Much obliged for your kindness , Mr. Joseph . When you and Mrs. Joseph come to town we shall hope to have a chance to return it . Good-bye and a merry Christmas to you all . '' When Mrs. Joseph went back to the kitchen her eyes fell on the heaped-up table in the corner . `` Why-y ! '' she said , and snatched off the cover . One look she gave , and then this funny little mother began to cry ; but they were happy tears . Mr. Joseph came too , and looked and whistled .
There really seemed to be everything XXXXX that table that the hearts of children could desire -- three pairs of skates , a fur cap and collar , a dainty workbasket , half a dozen gleaming new books , a writing desk , a roll of stuff that looked like a new dress , a pair of fur-topped kid gloves just Mollie 's size , and a china cup and saucer .
after as before by of on over that till to