They had been down to see us , and Father and Mother and the boys had been up to see them , but we three girls had not ; so we were pleasantly excited at the thought of spending Christmas there . Christmas morning was fine , white as a pearl and clear as a diamond . We had to go by the seven o'clock train , since there was no other before eleven , and we reached Monkshead at eight-thirty . When we stepped from the train the stationmaster asked us if we were the three Miss Youngs . Alberta pleaded guilty , and he said , `` Well , here 's a letter for you then . '' We took the letter and went into the waiting room with sundry misgivings . What had happened ? Were Uncle Norman and Aunt Jean quarantined for scarlet fever , or had burglars raided the pantry and carried off the Christmas supplies ? Elizabeth opened and read the letter aloud . It was from Aunt Jean to the following effect : DEAR GIRLS : I am so sorry to disappoint you , but I can not help it . Word has come from Streatham that my sister has met with a serious accident and is in a very critical condition . Your uncle and I must go to Streatham immediately and are leaving on the eight o'clock express . I know you have started before this , so there is no use in telegraphing . We want you to go right to the house and make yourself at home . You will find the key under the kitchen doorstep , and the dinner in the pantry all ready to cook . There are two mince pies on the third shelf , and the plum pudding only needs to be warmed up . You will find a little Christmas remembrance for each of you on the dining-room table . I hope you will make as merry as you possibly can and we will have you down again as soon as we come back . Your hurried and affectionate , AUNT JEAN We looked at each other somewhat dolefully . But , as Alberta pointed out , we might as well make the best of it , since there was no way of getting home before the five o'clock train .
So we trailed out XXXXX the stationmaster , and asked him limply if he could direct us to Mr. Norman Young 's house .
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