There was music playing, and it was all so gay and lively that I kept getting more and more excited every moment.

Finally, while we were waiting for our orders to be filled, Betty said, 'It is so festive, I believe I'll give Mary my present now, instead of waiting till we get to Eugenia's.' Then she took a jeweller's box from her shopping bag, and, lo and behold, when I opened it, the little _bloodstone ring_ that I'd been longing for all these weeks! I was so happy I nearly cried.
"After lunch we came back to the flat to get our suit-cases.

Joyce is packing hers now.

In just a few minutes she will be ready, and then we will turn the key in the door and be off for Eugenia's.

Mrs.Boyd and Miss Lucy have gone to Brooklyn to spend Christmas, and Miss Henrietta is away on a month's vacation." The suburban train was crowded when the girls reached it.