human
Christmas is very near, said Nan the Saturday after the party.
gpt
We shall have to make everything this year, but fortunately there are plenty of materials yet in grandmother's trunk.
human
And there are the photographs,
gpt
Yes, and I mean to frame those, Nan told her.
human
That can be my Christmas gift to mother. You sew so nicely, Mary Lee, you can make her a set of collars and cuffs.
gpt
And what shall I make?
human
Why, kitty, let me see. You can make a pretty little work-bag. It will be easy to make and there's a lovely piece of silk in the trunk.
gpt
I'm going to give her my locket and chain,
human
Why, ducky dear, said Nan.
gpt
She couldn't wear it for it would be too small for her, and, besides, one shouldn't give away a particular present like that.
human
But it's the prettiest thing I've got, persisted Jack,
gpt
But mother wouldn't want you to give it to her, Nan went on.
human
She'd much rather you'd make something for her. Let me see--suppose you make a----
gpt
I don't think I'll make anything, interrupted Jack.
human
If I can't send her the chain I'll send her my silk stockings.
gpt
You ridiculous child! What on earth could mother do with them?
human
She could look at them.
gpt
You're a goosey goose, said Nan, affectionately, drawing Jack to her.
human
You must give her something appropriate, not anything like that. Oh, I know what you can do. It will be fine. I almost wish I had thought of it for myself. You can give her one of those calendars like Aunt Helen has. It will be just the thing. All you have to do is to get three hundred and sixty-five sheets of paper and take a certain number to each person whom you select; then the person writes a verse, or a selection or a--a--thought and signs her name. You tie them all together and put a cover on and it makes the nicest thing in the world for any one away from her friends.
gpt
Where shall I get the paper?
human
Why, I think maybe there is some in one of the boxes in the attic, she said reflectively;
gpt
I will look.
human
What shall we have on the cover?
gpt
A photograph of this house would be fine. Ran took a real good one, and I know he'd be glad to give a print for the calendar. Now we have got to plan for everybody else; there are so many this year.
human
There is Aunt Sarah,
gpt
And Daniella,
human
And Mrs. Boggs,
gpt
And the boys.
human
And Cousin Polly, added Nan.
gpt
She was so lovely about the party frocks that we ought to give her something very nice.
human
Miss Belle Brockenborough was, too,
gpt
Of course, we must remember her and Cousin Mag. Do you suppose we'd better make something for grandmother and Aunt Helen?
human
Not from the things they sent,
gpt
No, but we could make some little things; we must do it. Then there is Unc' Landy and Mitty besides the Sunday-school teachers and----
human
Miss Lawrence,
gpt
Now, Jack,
human
If she hadn't such big ears, I wouldn't mind so much, said Jack,
gpt
Never mind; she is very good to you and has stood much more than most teachers would. I'll tell you what, Mary Lee, we'll make a lot of panuchee and take a box to each of the teachers. Every one says our black walnut panuchee is the best they ever ate.
human
Miss Lawrence asked me for the recipe, said Mary Lee;
gpt
I hope I got it just right: a pound and a half of brown sugar, three quarters of a cup of milk, about a quarter of a pound of butter, and a lot of chopped nuts. Melt the sugar and milk; let it boil twenty minutes, add the butter and nuts, beat for about five minutes till it gets real sugary and then pour in pans or make it into little cakes by dropping from a spoon. Is that right?
human
That is it, Nan told her.
gpt
We might make two or three kinds. I like peanut myself.
human
Now have we thought of everybody?
gpt
We haven't thought of each other,
human
That makes three more apiece. How they do count up. We can leave one another till the last minute because we are right in the house. What shall you give Daniella, Mary Lee?
gpt
I thought maybe we could find a hair ribbon in the trunk. She has never had one and thinks they are so fine. They cost too much when you have to buy them.
human
I want to give her something real frivolous that no one else would give her, she said.
gpt
I know lots of people will think of her and will send her useful things. Let's look over what's in the trunk and pick out what we will use. Maybe I can find something there, too.