And when two hours later the conductor came in and said the snowploughs had got along and they 'd soon be starting , they all wondered if it could really be less than twenty-four hours since they met . `` I feel as if I 'd been campaigning with you all my life , '' said the khaki boy . At the next station they all parted . The little mother and the children had to take the next train back home . The minister stayed there , and the khaki boy and the sealskin lady changed trains . The sealskin lady shook Aunt Cyrilla 's hand . She no longer looked discontented or cross . `` This has been the pleasantest Christmas I have ever spent , '' she said heartily . `` I shall never forget that wonderful basket of yours . The little shop girl is going home with me . I 've promised her a place in my husband 's store . '' When Aunt Cyrilla and Lucy Rose reached Pembroke there was nobody to meet them because everyone had given up expecting them . It was not far from the station to Edward 's house and Aunt Cyrilla elected to walk . `` I 'll carry the basket , '' said Lucy Rose . Aunt Cyrilla relinquished it with a smile . Lucy Rose smiled too . `` It 's a blessed old basket , '' said the latter , `` and I love it . Please forget all the silly things I ever said about it , Aunt C'rilla . '' Davenport 's Story It was a rainy afternoon , and we had been passing the time by telling ghost stories . That is a very good sort of thing for a rainy afternoon , and it is a much better time than after night .
If you tell ghost stories after dark they are apt to make you nervous , whether you own up to it or not , and you sneak home and dodge upstairs in mortal terror , and undress XXXXX your back to the wall , so that you ca n't fancy there is anything behind you .
At about along from if in of that to with