Just fancy Maggie 's face if she saw such a Christmas box as that tomorrow morning . '' `` Do n't let 's fancy it , '' laughed Mrs. Joseph , `` it is only aggravating . Talking of candy reminds me that I made a big plateful of taffy for the children today . It 's all the ` Christmassy ' I could give them . I 'll get it out and put it on the table along with the children 's presents . That ca n't be someone at the door ! '' `` It is , though , '' said Mr. Joseph as he strode to the door and flung it open . Two snowed-up figures were standing on the porch . As they stepped in , the Josephs recognized one of them as Mr. Ralston , a wealthy merchant in a small town fifteen miles away . `` Late hour for callers , is n't it ? '' said Mr. Ralston . `` The fact is , our horse has about given out , and the storm is so bad that we ca n't proceed . This is my wife , and we are on our way to spend Christmas with my brother 's family at Lindsay . Can you take us in for the night , Mr. Joseph ? '' `` Certainly , and welcome ! '' exclaimed Mr. Joseph heartily , `` if you do n't mind a shakedown by the kitchen fire for the night . My , Mrs. Ralston , '' as his wife helped her off with her things , `` but you are snowed up ! I 'll see to putting your horse away , Mr. Ralston . This way , if you please . '' When the two men came stamping into the house again Mrs. Ralston and Mrs. Joseph were sitting at the fire , the former with a steaming hot cup of tea in her hand .
Mr. Ralston put the big basket he was carrying down XXXXX a bench in the corner .
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