She did not come down in half an hour.
"Was she REALLY getting up when she said she was ?" he asked of Annie.
"Yes, she was," replied Annie.
He waited a while, then went to the stairs again.
"Happy New Year," he called.
"Thank you, Chubby dear!" came the laughing voice, far away.
"Buck up!" he implored.
It was nearly an hour, and still he was waiting for her.

Morel, who always rose before six, looked at the clock.
"Well, it's a winder!" he exclaimed.
The family had breakfasted, all but William.

He went to the foot of the stairs.
"Shall I have to send you an Easter egg up there ?" he called, rather crossly.

She only laughed.

The family expected, after that time of preparation, something like magic.