Keith thought himself too big to betray any joy over a Christmas dinner , but he whistled while doing the chores until the bare welkin in the yard rang , and Teddy , in spite of unheard of misdemeanours , was not collared off into the porch once . When the young teacher got home from school that evening he found the yellow house full of all sorts of delectable odours . Miss Cornelia herself was concocting mince pies after the famous family recipe , while her ancient and faithful handmaiden , Hannah , was straining into moulds the cranberry jelly . The open pantry door revealed a tempting array of Christmas delicacies . `` Did you call and invite the Smithsons up to dinner as I told you ? '' asked Miss Cornelia anxiously . `` Yes , '' was the dreamy response as he glided through the kitchen and vanished into the hall . Miss Cornelia crimped the edges of her pies delicately with a relieved air . `` I made certain he 'd forget it , '' she said . `` You just have to watch him as if he were a mere child . Did n't I catch him yesterday starting off to school in his carpet slippers ? And in spite of me he got away today in that ridiculous summer hat . You 'd better set that jelly in the out-pantry to cool , Hannah ; it looks good . We 'll give those poor little Smithsons a feast for once in their lives if they never get another . '' At this juncture the hall door flew open and Mr. Palmer appeared on the threshold . He seemed considerably agitated and for once his eyes had lost their look of space-searching . `` Miss Millar , I am afraid I did make a mistake this morning -- it has just dawned on me . I am almost sure that I called at Mrs. Grant 's and invited her and her family instead of the Smithsons . And she said they would come . '' Miss Cornelia 's face was a study .
`` Mr. Palmer , '' she said , flourishing her crimping fork tragically , `` do you mean XXXXX say you went and invited Linda Grant here tomorrow ?
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