`` I have just called on my way to school with a message from Miss Millar . She wants you all to come up and have Christmas dinner with her tomorrow . '' `` For the land 's sake ! '' said Mrs. Grant blankly . `` I do n't understand . '' To herself she thought , `` I wish I dared take him and shake him to find if he 's walking in his sleep or not . '' `` You and all the children -- every one , '' went on the teacher dreamily , as if he were reciting a lesson learned beforehand . `` She told me to tell you to be sure and come . Shall I say that you will ? '' `` Oh , yes , that is -- I suppose -- I do n't know , '' said Mrs. Grant incoherently . `` I never expected -- yes , you may tell her we 'll come , '' she concluded abruptly . `` Thank you , '' said the abstracted messenger , gravely lifting his hat and looking squarely through Mrs. Grant into unknown regions . When he had gone Mrs. Grant went in and sat down , laughing in a sort of hysterical way . `` I wonder if it is all right . Could Cornelia really have told him ? She must , I suppose , but it is enough to take one 's breath . '' Mrs. Grant and Cornelia Millar were cousins , and had once been the closest of friends , but that was years ago , before some spiteful reports and ill-natured gossip had come between them , making only a little rift at first that soon widened into a chasm of coldness and alienation . Therefore this invitation surprised Mrs. Grant greatly . Miss Cornelia was a maiden lady of certain years , with a comfortable bank account and a handsome , old-fashioned house on the hill behind the village . She always boarded the schoolteachers and looked after them maternally ; she was an active church worker and a tower of strength to struggling ministers and their families .
`` If Cornelia has seen fit at last to hold out the hand of reconciliation I 'm glad enough XXXXX take it .
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