Can I help in any way ?" he asked, glancing at the display before him.
"No, thank you, unless you can make me as full of interest and pleasure in these things as I used to be.

Don't you think preparing presents a great bore, except for those you love and who love you ?" she added in a tone which had a slight tremor in it as she uttered the last words.
"I don't give to people whom I care nothing for.

Can't do it, especially at Christmas, when goodwill should go into everything one does.

If all these 'pretties' are for dear friends, you must have a great many." "I thought they were friends, but I find many of them are not, and that's the trouble, sir." "Tell me all about it, dear, and let the old glove go," he said, sitting down beside her with his most sympathetic air.
But she held the glove fast, saying eagerly, "No, no, I love to do this! I don't feel as if I could look at you while I tell what a bad, suspicious girl I am," she added, keeping her eyes on her work.
"Very well, I'm ready for confessions of any iniquity and glad to get them, for sometimes lately I've seen a cloud in my girl's eyes and caught a worried tone in her voice.

Is there a bitter drop in the cup that promised to be so sweet, Rose ?" "Yes, Uncle.