The shades were to be drawn and the candles lighted, however, so that there might be no loss of effect.

In the evening the tree was to be once more loaded with fascinating packages and candy-bags, and this time the Greggorys, Tommy Dunn, and all the rest from the Annex were to have the fun all over again.
From garret to basement the Strata was aflame with holly, and aglitter with tinsel.

Nowhere did there seem to be a spot that did not have its bit of tissue paper or its trail of red ribbon.

And everything--holly, ribbon, tissue, and tinsel--led to the mysteriously closed doors of the great front drawing-room, past which none but Billy and her accredited messengers might venture.

No wonder, indeed, that even Baby scented excitement, and that Baby's mother was not exactly calm.