The white lips, the chalky gray tint under the
eyes, the deep furrows round the sunken temples were all familiar to
the younger "Miss Peel." She had fitted once more into the old sordid
life. She saw Hattie in her slipshod feet and Katie and Rose in their
thin winter jackets, which did not half keep out the cold. She saw and
partook of the scanty meals and tried to keep warm by the wretched
fires. Once more she was part and parcel of the household. The
children were so accustomed to her that they forgot she was going away
again.
To-night, however, the fact was brought back to her. Katie cried when
she saw the packed trunk. Hattie pouted and flopped herself about and
became unmanageable. Rose put on her most discontented manner and
voice, and finding that Prissie had earned no money during the past
term, gave utterance to skeptical thoughts.
"Prissie just went away to have a good time, and she never meant to
earn money, and she forgot all about them," grumbled the naughty
little girl.
Hattie came up and pummeled Rose for her bad words. Katie cried
afresh, and altogether the scene was most dismal.
Now, however, it was over. The children were in the land of happy
dreams. They were eating their Christmas dinner over again and looking
with ecstasy at their tiny, tiny Christmas gifts and listening once
more to Prissie, who had a low, sweet voice and who was singing to
them the old and beloved words:
"Peace and goodwill to men.
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