Then there were
drawing-books for Cherry, and a knife of endless blades for Lance,
and toys for the little ones; and dresses--a suit for Wilmet like
Alda's plainest Sunday one, and Alda's last year's silk for
Geraldine, and some charming little cashmere pelisses--Aunt Mary's
special present to the two babies--things that would lengthen
Wilmet's purse for many a day to come; and a writing-case for Felix;
and all the absent remembered, too. Uncle Thomas had given Alda a
five-pound note to buy presents, and Marilda had sent every one
something besides, mostly of such a matter-of-fact useful type that
Alda stood and laughed at them. And Mrs. Underwood was pleased with
the exhibition, and smiled and admired, only her attention was tired
out at last, and she was taken early to her own room.
The elder ones went down to sit round the fire in Mr. Audley's room,
where Ferdinand insisted on leaving his sofa to Geraldine, and
betaking himself to the easy-chair, where he leant back, content and
happy to watch the others through his eye-lashes. Alda was a little
on her company manners at the first, but all the others were at
perfect ease, as they sat in the dim light.
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