Let us lend it to you . Do n't say a word to your uncle about the accident . '' Alexina flushed and hesitated . `` It 's very kind of you , '' she stammered , `` but I 'm afraid -- it would be too much -- '' `` Not a bit of it , '' Josie interrupted warmly . `` Did n't Duncan and I have Christmas dinner at your house last year ? Just come and help us carry it over . '' `` If you lend us your dinner you and Duncan must come and help us eat it , '' said Alexina , resolutely . `` I 'll come of course , '' said Josie , `` and I think that Duncan will too if -- if -- '' She looked at Stephen , the scarlet spots deepening . Stephen coloured too . `` Duncan must come , '' he said quietly . `` I 'll go and ask him . '' Two minutes later a peculiar procession marched out of the Tracy kitchen door , across the two yards , and into the Falsom house . Josie headed it , carrying a turkey on a platter . Alexina came next with a plum pudding . Stephen and Duncan followed with a hot mince pie apiece . And in a few more minutes Alexina gravely announced to Uncle James that dinner was ready . The dinner was a pronounced success , marked by much suppressed hilarity among the younger members of the party . Uncle James ate very heartily and seemed to enjoy everything , especially the mince pie . `` This is the best mince pie I have ever sampled , '' he told Alexina . `` I am glad to know that I have a niece who can make such a mince pie . ''
Alexina cast an agonized look XXXXX Josie , and was on the point of explaining that she was n't the maker of the pie .
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