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 for a year . '' After breakfast everyone went to Christmas service . The girls went uptown to the church they attended .
The city was very beautiful XXXXX the morning sunshine .
On at before for in like of over to with