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CHAPTER XXIX
"Time you youngsters were doing your Christmas shopping," said Mr.
Patterson the next morning, laying a generous banknote by Pat's plate
and two crisp notes by Anne's. "She has to have a double portion," he
explained, "because she's a girl--and little--and has to make up lost
time."
"Yep, dad," said Pat, nodding agreement to each of these reasons and
adding another, "and she has such gangs of people to send things to.
You'll have to go to the ten-cent shop, Nancy Anne, or borrow from my
bank. Wherever you've been, you've picked up friends, like--like a
little woolly lambie gathers burs."
They all laughed at Pat's speech; they were in the joyous frame of mind
when laughter comes easily.
"I want to join you in Christmas remembrances to the people who have
been so good to you," said Miss Drayton.
"I'll send Jake Collins a ball and Peter a pocket-knife," said Pat, "or
would Jake rather have a knife, too?"
"Mrs. Collins shall have a silk dress," said Miss Drayton.
"Oo-ee! That will be glorious," exclaimed Anne. "Let it be the rustly
kind. And red. She loves red."
"Mr. Collins shall have an umbrella with a gorgeous silver handle," said
Mr.
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