A Merry Christmas Read Free Page B

themselves on the fact that she lived in a fine house, was very rich, and sent them charming presents. Now pity was added to the pride, for Kate was an orphan, and all her money could not buy back the parents she had lost.
    They had watched impatiently for her arrival, had welcomed her cordially, and after a day spent in trying to make her feel at home, they were comparing notes in the twilight, while Kate was having a quiet talk with Mamma.
    â€œI hope she will choose to live with us. You know she can go to any of the uncles she likes best,” said Kent.
    â€œWe are nearer her age than any of the other cousins, and Papa is the oldest uncle, so I guess she will,” added Milly, the fourteen-year-old daughter of the house.
    â€œShe said she liked America,” said quiet Frank.
    â€œWonder if she will give us a lot of her money?” put in practical Fred, who was always in debt.
    â€œStop that!” commanded Kent. “Mind now, if you ever ask her for a penny, I’ll shake you out of your jacket.”
    â€œHush! She’s coming,” cried Milly, and a dead silence followed the lively chatter.
    A fresh-faced, bright-eyed girl of fifteen came in quietly, glanced at the group on the rug, and paused as if uncertain whether she was wanted.
    â€œCome on!” said Fred, encouragingly.
    â€œWould I be in the way?” she asked.
    â€œOh, dear, no! We were only talking,” answered Milly, drawing her cousin nearer with an arm about her waist.
    â€œIt sounded like something pleasant,” said Kate, not exactly knowing what to say.
    â€œWe were talking about you,” began Little May. A poke from Frank made her stop to ask, “What’s that for? We
were
talking about Kate, and we all said we liked her, so it’s no matter if I tell.”
    â€œYou are very kind,” said Kate looking so pleased that the children forgave May’s awkward frankness.
    â€œYes, and we hoped you’d like us and stay with us,” added Kent, in the lofty and polite manner that he thought became a young man of his stature.
    â€œI am going to live with all the uncles in turn, and then decide,” Kate answered. “Papa wished it.” The words made her lips tremble slightly, for her father was the only parent she could remember and had been unusually dear to her for that reason.
    â€œCan you play billiards?” asked Fred, who had a horror of seeing girls cry.
    â€œYes, and I will be glad to teach you.”
    â€œYou had a pony carriage at your house, didn’t you?” added Frank, eager to hear more.
    â€œAt Grandma’s—I had no other home, you know,” answered Kate.
    â€œWhat will you buy first with your money?” asked May, who seemed determined to ask improper questions.
    â€œI’d buy a grandma if I could,” and Kate both smiled and sighed.
    â€œHow funny!” said May. “We have a grandma who lives ever so far away in the country. We don’t think of her much.”
    â€œYou do?” said Kate, who turned quickly, looking full of interest.
    â€œYes! Papa’s mother is very old,” added Milly. “Papa writes to her sometimes, and Mamma sends her things every Christmas. We don’t know much about her, for we’ve only seen her once, a great long time ago. But we do care for her.”
    â€œPerhaps I shall go and see her,” said Kate with a smile. “I can’t get on without a grandmother. Tell me all you know about her. Is she a dear lady?”
    â€œWe only know this. She is lame and lives in the old house where Papa grew up. She has a maid named Dolly, and—that’s all I can tell you about her,” said Molly looking a little vexed that she could say no more of the subject that seemed to interest her cousin so much.
    Kate looked surprised, but said nothing and stood looking at the fire as if turning the matter over in her mind and trying to answer the question she was too polite