The girls had been up for an hour for fear they would miss the sight and were all in Nellie 's room , which commanded a view of Miss Allen 's door . That lady 's face was a study . Amazement , incredulity , wonder , chased each other over it , succeeded by a glow of pleasure . On the floor before her was a snug little pyramid of parcels topped by Jean 's letter . On a chair behind it was a bowl of delicious hot-house roses and Nellie 's placard . Miss Allen looked down the hall but saw nothing , for Jean had slammed the door just in time . Half an hour later when they were going down to breakfast Miss Allen came along the hall with outstretched hands to meet them . She had been crying again , but I think her tears were happy ones ; and she was smiling now . A cluster of Jean 's roses were pinned on her breast . `` Oh , girls , girls , '' she said , with a little tremble in her voice , `` I can never thank you enough . It was so kind and sweet of you . You do n't know how much good you have done me . '' Breakfast was an unusually cheerful affair at No. 16 that morning . There was no skeleton at the feast and everybody was beaming . Miss Allen laughed and talked like a girl herself . `` Oh , how surprised I was ! '' she said . `` The roses were like a bit of summer , and those cats of Nellie 's were so funny and delightful . And your letter too , Jean ! I cried and laughed over it .
I shall read it every day XXXXX a year . ''
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