We were invited to spend Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Norman Young . When we got off the train we were given a letter from them stating that they were summoned away but telling us to go to their house and make ourselves at home . The stationmaster told us that this was the house , so we came here . We have never been in Monkshead , so we did not know the difference . Please pardon us . '' I had got off the watch by this time and laid it on the table , unobserved , as I thought . Alberta , not having the key of the bracelet , had not been able to get it off , and she sat there crimson with shame . As for Uncle William , there was positively a twinkle in his eye . He did not look in the least ogreish . `` Well , it has been quite a fortunate mistake for me , '' he said . `` I came home expecting to find a cold house and a raw dinner , and I find this instead . I 'm very much obliged to you . '' Alberta rose , went to the mantel piece , took the key of the bracelet therefrom , and unlocked it . Then she faced Uncle William . `` Mrs. Young told us in her letter that we would find our Christmas gifts on the table , so we took it for granted that these things belonged to us , '' she said desperately . `` And now , if you will kindly tell us where Mr. Norman Young does live , we wo n't intrude on you any longer . Come , girls . '' Elizabeth and I rose with a sigh . There was nothing else to be done , of course , but we were fearfully hungry , and we did not feel enthusiastic over the prospect of going to another empty house and cooking another dinner . `` Wait a bit , '' said Uncle William .
`` I think since you have gone to all the trouble XXXXX cooking the dinner it 's only fair you should stay and help to eat it .
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