Chapter X: Christmas Presents

"MAMMA," said Katy a few days before Christmas, "do you mean that I am to spend the money you gave me for Christmas exactly as I please?"

"Exactly as you please."

"Would you have any objection to my taking a little Christmas present to Mrs. Scram's baby? The poor little fellow hasn't any playthings, nor anything to make him happy."

"No, indeed. I am glad you thought of it, and will send something too; Mike shall drive in with you Christmas morning, and you can make a call all by yourself."

Katy had been thinking what to do with her money, after the presents for mamma and papa, and Mike and Susan, were all ready, and her thoughts turned to poor, unhappy baby Scram, for she had always kept a warm place in her heart for him. So the next day, after school, Katy went down-town and selected a dozen large sweet oranges, a blue scarf, and a pair of blue mittens, besides a little tin horse and wagon, and a box of blocks. This was after much looking about and study. It gave her great pleasure to go alone and buy these her first Christmas presents, to make a poor child happy.

On Christmas morning, Mrs. Lynn added to Katy's packages, a scarlet flannel dress for the baby, and Katy was soon on her way.

"Who in the world can that be," said Mrs. Scram, as a sleigh with gay robes and prancing ponies drew up before the door, and Katy was helped out. She bustled about to pick up things a little before the stranger should appear.

When she opened the door and saw Katy, she hadn't the least idea it was anyone she had ever seen before, for although it was not a year since Katy had left, she was very much changed. The round rosy face did not look like the pale sorrowful one Mrs. Scram used to know, nor did the trim little figure. No trace of the former Katy could be seen, from the white plume in her hat to the toe of her kid boot.

Katy seemed to forget that she was expected to speak. She just sat and looked. There was the same dish-pan standing on the table that she used to wash from, and there were the dishes, much the worse for wear, and the faded carpet, and the old broom standing behind the door, and the little dusty windows looking into the alley.

When Mrs. Scram remarked that it was a pleasant morning, Katy gave a start, for she almost expected Mrs. Scram to box her ears and tell her to wash up the dishes and sweep up the floor. But she came to her senses now, and said:

"Don't you know me? I'm Katy!"

"My stars!" said Mrs. Scram. "Now you don't say so. Got to be a fine lady I s'pose you think—don't do anything, I dare say, but fold your hands from morning till night."

"Oh, yes," said Katy, "I go to school every day and have to study hard."

"Study!" said Mrs. Scram with a sniff. "Well, I s'pose you're round to-day showing off your new clothes, most likely."

Katy's face flushed a little at this, for to tell the truth, she had felt a good deal of pleasure in letting Mrs. Scram see how well she dressed.

But she only said, "Oh, I came to bring the baby some little things for Christmas."

And she began to take the oranges out of her satchel. Baby could walk now, and he came toddling up to Katy, holding out his hand for one.

"You will give him one every day as long as they last, won't you Mrs. Scram? I remember how much he used to like them. And here is a little warm dress that mamma sent him, but these other things are my presents."

And she wound the soft tippet about his neck, and put the bits of mittens on his hands, and sent the little horse and wagon rolling across the room, and the baby laughed and jabbered and looked as happy as any baby.

Now Mrs. Scram had a feeling come over her that was rather new to her, she felt very much ashamed that she had spoken so roughly to Katy, and she made the baby kiss her hand and say "Thank you," and spoke pleasantly when Katy was going away. I shouldn't wonder if these little gifts made Mrs. Scram a better woman.

It was the very first Christmas that Mr. and Mrs. Lynn had ever had a little girl of their own to give presents to, and they hardly knew when to stop. There were books, and games, and pictures, and much to Katy's astonishment, a tiny gold watch and chain. She had not thought much about receiving gifts, for it seemed as if she had everything she could want already.

But it was a happy day to Katy, and none the less so because she had carried a little sunshine into the dismal home of the Scrams.