"Yes, but I wish to be on hand when father distributes his New Year gifts,"
our invalid said. So Teresa had to yield.
Our father was late in coming so Paula ran to tell him that breakfast was
ready, and soon back she came with her hand in his, with that affecting
grace that was so habitual to her.
When he had received our "Happy New Years" father asked us if we wanted the
presents before or after breakfast.
"Before! Before!" we all cried.
"Very well," he said, "I have tried to satisfy everybody's taste, so I
trust everybody will be contented. Here, Paula, this little package is for
you. Catalina assured me that this would give you more pleasure than
anything else."
Paula took the package and turned it over and over.
"It is a book," she said in a voice that was none too steady.
"Do you think so?" said Catalina with a smile. "In that case hurry up, and
show us."
"Hurry up," cried Louis, handing her his jack-knife. "Cut the string and
open the package. We want to see what it is."
She obeyed, a bit confused to see all eyes fixed upon her. Inside she found
a little black book with a much-used cover.
She raised her eyes in gratitude to father and tried to thank him, but
could not find a word to say.
Pages:
132
133
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135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
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