There was so much to do . The little house was put in apple pie order from top to bottom , and Stephen was set to stoning raisins and chopping meat and beating eggs . Alexina was perfectly reckless ; no matter how big a hole it made in their finances Uncle James must have a proper Christmas dinner . A favourable impression must be made . Stephen 's whole future -- Alexina did not think about her own at all just then -- might depend on it . Christmas morning came , fine and bright and warm . It was more like a morning in early spring than in December , for there was no snow or frost , and the air was moist and balmy . Alexina was up at daybreak , cleaning and decorating at a furious rate . By eleven o'clock everything was finished or going forward briskly . The plum pudding was bubbling in the pot , the turkey -- Burton 's plumpest -- was sizzling in the oven . The shelf in the pantry bore two mince pies upon which Alexina was willing to stake her culinary reputation . And Stephen had gone to the train to meet Uncle James . From her kitchen window Alexina could see brisk preparations going on in the Tracy kitchen . She knew Josie and Duncan were all alone ; their parents had gone to spend Christmas with friends in Lessing . In spite of her hurry and excitement Alexina found time to sigh . Last Christmas Josie and Duncan had come over and eaten their dinner with them . But now last Christmas seemed very far away . And Josie had behaved horridly . Alexina was quite clear on that point . Then Stephen came with Uncle James .
Uncle James was a rather pompous , fussy old man XXXXX red cheeks and bushy eyebrows .
By From about at in like over to upon with