After the merry dinner was over , the junior Osbornes brought in a Christmas tree , loaded with presents . They had bought them with the money that Mr. and Mrs. Osborne had meant for their own presents , and a splendid assortment they were . All the French-Joe boys got a pair of skates apiece , and Sammy a set of beautiful books , and Tillie was made supremely happy with a big wax doll . Every little Roland got just what his or her small heart had been longing for . Besides , there were nuts and candies galore . Then Frank hitched up his pony again , but this time into a great pung sleigh , and the junior Osbornes took their guests for a sleigh-drive , chaperoned by Cousin Myra . It was just dusk when they got back , having driven the Rolands and the French Joes and Sammy and Tillie to their respective homes . `` This has been the jolliest Christmas I ever spent , '' said Frank , emphatically . `` I thought we were just going to give the others a good time , but it was they who gave it to us , '' said Ida . `` Were n't the French Joes jolly ? '' giggled the twins . `` Such cute speeches as they would make ! '' `` Me and Teddy Roland are going to be chums after this , '' announced Darby . `` He 's an inch taller than me , but I 'm wider . '' That night Frank and Ida and Cousin Myra had a little talk after the smaller Osbornes had been haled off to bed . `` We 're not going to stop with Christmas , Cousin Myra , '' said Frank , at the end of it . `` We 're just going to keep on through the year . We 've never had such a delightful old Christmas before . '' `` You 've learned the secret of happiness , '' said Cousin Myra gently . And the Osbornes understood what she meant .
The Romance XXXXX Aunt Beatrice Margaret always maintains that it was a direct inspiration of Providence that took her across the street to see Aunt Beatrice that night .
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