Laddie , who figured as Archibald only in the family Bible , sat close to the inglenook -- a handsome young fellow with a daring brow and rollicking eyes . On the other side sat Margaret , hand in hand with her father , a woman whose gracious sweetness of nature enveloped her as a garment ; and Robert 's two laughing boys filled up the circle , looking so much alike that it was hard to say which was Cecil and which was Sid . Margaret 's husband and Fritz 's wife were playing games with the children in the parlour , whence shrieks of merriment drifted out into the hall . Nanny might have been with them had she chosen , but she preferred to sit alone in the darkest corner of the hall and gaze with jealous , unhappy eyes at the mirthful group about the fire , listening to their story and jest and laughter with unavailing protest in her heart . Oh , how could they have forgotten so soon ? It was not yet a full year since Miss Avis had gone . Last Christmas Eve she had sat there , a sweet and saintly presence , in the inglenook , more , so it had almost seemed , the centre of the home circle than the father and mother ; and now the December stars were shining over her grave , and not one of that heedless group remembered her ; not once was her name spoken ; even her old dog had forgotten her -- he sat with his nose in Margaret 's lap , blinking with drowsy , aged contentment at the fire . `` Oh , I ca n't bear it ! '' whispered Nanny , under cover of the hearty laughter which greeted a story Doctor Fritz had been telling . She slipped out into the kitchen , put on her hood and cloak , and took from a box under the table a little wreath of holly . She had made it out of the bits left over from the decorations . Miss Avis had loved holly ; Miss Avis had loved every green , growing thing . As Nanny opened the kitchen door something cold touched her hand , and there stood the old dog , wagging his tail and looking up at her with wistful eyes , mutely pleading to be taken , too . `` So you do remember her , Gyppy , '' said Nanny , patting his head . `` Come along then . We 'll go together . '' They slipped out into the night . It was quite dark , but it was not far to the graveyard -- just out through the evergreens and along a field by-path and across the road . The old church was there , with its square tower , and the white stones gleaming all around it . Nanny went straight to a shadowy corner and knelt on the sere grasses while she placed her holly wreath on Miss Avis 's grave .
The tears XXXXX her eyes brimmed over .
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