He could have added that if he had known she was in Billingsfield he would have made a great sacrifice in order to come down for a day to make her acquaintance.

But he did not say it.
"She is a great addition," said the vicar.
"Oh--very great, I should think." Christmas eve was passed at the vicarage in preparation for the morrow.
Mrs.Ambrose was very active in binding holly wherever it was possible to put it.

The mince-pies were tasted and pronounced a success, and old Reynolds was despatched to the cottage with a small basket containing a certain number of them as a present to Mrs.Goddard.An emissary appeared from the Hall with a variety of articles which the squire begged to contribute towards the vicar's Christmas dinner; among others a haunch of venison which Mrs.Ambrose pronounced to be in the best condition.

The vicar retorted by sending to the Hall a magnificent Cottenham cheese which, as a former Fellow of Trinity, he had succeeded in obtaining.
Moreover Mr.Ambrose himself descended to the cellar and brought up several bottles of Audit ale which he declared must be allowed to stand some time in the pantry in order to bring out the flavour and to be thoroughly settled.

John gave his assistance wherever it was needed and enjoyed vastly the old-fashioned preparations for Christmas day.