Nancy and Plum (21 page)

“Did he get Eunice’s doll and the clothes?” Nancy asked.

“Exactly as you ordered it,” Mrs. Campbell said.

“And the electric trains?” Plum said.

“All three of them,” Mrs. Campbell said.

“Oh, wow,” Plum said, “I almost wish I was over there just so’s I could see their faces.”

“It wouldn’t do you any good to be there,” Mrs. Campbell said, “because Danby is going to take as many of the children as he can into town in his car and they won’t even know about the presents until he drops them off at their home. Then when they get out he’ll give them the present.”

“What about the ones who have to go on the train?” Plum asked.

“Old Tom is putting their presents with their suitcases,” Aunt Mary Ann said.

“Oh, poor Eunice will have to go on the train,” Nancy said, “because her aunt lives way beyond the city. She won’t care though when she sees that doll.”

“What about the presents for Old Tom—the ’lectric lantern and the new mackinaw?” Plum asked.

“I’ve got ’em right downstairs in the coat closet,” said Mrs. Campbell. “We’ll give them to him when he comes for dinner tomorrow.”

“What about the violet things for Miss Waverly?” Nancy asked. “The perfume and bath salts and soap and all?”

“Also in the hall closet,” said Aunt Mary Ann. “Not only that, but your Uncle John sent a present for Uncle Angus and one for me. Now enough talking. You girls go downstairs and start trimming the tree and I’ll get my other surprise ready. My goodness, we’ll have to hurry, too. I’ve supper to get, you have baths to take, we’ll have to leave here by seven and it’s almost five o’clock right now.”

The fire in the fireplace snapped and crackled and the flames were gloriously reflected on the ornaments as Nancy and Plum carefully hung them on the fragrant branches.

They were almost through. Even though they had done it all themselves they agreed that it was the most gorgeous Christmas tree in the world.

Nancy said, “As soon as we finish, let’s go up and get our presents for Aunt Mary Ann and Uncle Angus and put them under the tree.”

Plum said, “I’ll run up and get them while you put on those last two birds.” The little birds were an iridescent blue with clear spun glass tails and Nancy attached them to the very end of the branches where they’d catch the firelight. Then, she stood back and looked and looked at the Christmas tree.

When Plum came in with the packages, she said, “You know, Plum, it’s really better we never did have a Christmas tree at Mrs. Monday’s.”

Plum said, “Why, for heaven’s sake?”

“Because,” Nancy said, “having never had one we didn’t know what we were missing.”

Plum said, “My presents look awful—like I’d slept with them.”

Nancy said, “No they don’t. They look nice. Here, I’ll tie a better bow for you on Aunt Mary Ann’s.”

Plum said, “Do you think she’s going to like those guest towels I made her? I got them so dirty when I was embroidering them that they look as if they have already been used.”

Nancy said, “They’re just beautiful, Plum, and you did a very nice job on your cross-stitching.”

Plum said, “Nice job if you don’t look at the back. How come I have so many millions of threads and big knots on the back of mine and yours are so smooth?”

Nancy said, “Oh, that’s just because I’ve been sewing a lot longer than you have. Anyway, who looks at the back?”

Plum said, “Do you think we have enough presents for Aunt Mary Ann and Uncle Angus? They’re so wonderful to us and I love them so much I’d like to give them a million dollars.”

Nancy said, “They’d much rather have these things we made ourselves. Miss Waverly says that things you make show a lot more thought and love than things you just go in and buy. After all, anybody with money can buy presents.”

Plum said, “Let’s see, I made Aunt Mary Ann those dirty guest towels and that pincushion that looks like it has the mumps. Then I made Uncle Angus that pipe rack that’s all splintery on one end and knitted him that scarf that has so many dropped stitches in it, it looks like lace.”

Nancy, who was laughing, said, “Now you stop talking that way. I saw all your presents and they’re just fine. Anyway, I’m not sure Aunt Mary Ann will like the apron and pot holders I made her or that Uncle Angus will like the bed socks I crocheted him. But I think they will.”

Plum said, “Oh, look at the kittens climbing the Christmas tree. They think we brought it in just for them. Hey, Dasher, don’t you knock those ornaments off. Look, Nancy, at Cupid peering out from behind those branches.”

Mrs. Campbell called from the kitchen, “Time for your bubble baths and another surprise.”

The children whisked out to the kitchen. There, spread out on the ironing board, were the two angel costumes to wear in the program. They were even lovelier than the ones Nancy had pretended for them!

Nancy said, “Plum, just imagine how we’re going to look standing by the Christmas tree singing the carols. People will probably think we are real angels.”

Mrs. Campbell said, “And they won’t be far wrong. Now you girls scoot in and take your baths. I’ve put your new underwear and party shoes in there and you can eat supper in your bathrobes. I’ve made oyster stew, so hurry. The lamp’s already in there and I’ve lit the heater.”

Nancy and Plum lay back in their mountains of bubbles and the round red eye of the coal-oil heater looked down at them from the ceiling. The bathroom was not very warm and smelled pungently of kerosene and imitation gardenia but to Nancy and Plum it was the personification of luxury.

Plum said, “This bubble bath is so much fun, I almost wish we didn’t have to go to the program.”

Nancy said, “Well, we do, and you’d better scrub your elbows. They’re awfully dirty.”

Plum said, “I can’t scrub them. They’re both skinned and they hurt.”

Nancy said, “Well, I don’t think that white gauzy angel wings over jet-black elbows is going to look very pretty.”

Plum said, “I’ll keep my arms down at my sides.”

Nancy said, “We’re supposed to keep our hands pressed together in front of us like we’re praying.”

Plum said, “Well, I’ll pretend my wings have black spots on them like butterflies’ do.”

Nancy said, “Now, Plum, you can’t do that. You’d disappoint Aunt Mary Ann.”

So Plum scrubbed her elbows but she flinched and winced and told Nancy she was almost fainting with the pain.

After they had rubbed themselves dry with the big rough towels, Nancy and Plum put on their new ruffly underwear, silk socks and then, joy of joys, slipped their feet into the stiff newness of their patent-leather slippers.

Plum took a step. “Gosh, Nancy,” she said, “they’re as slippery as ice. Even the soles must be polished.”

Nancy said, “You don’t suppose that walking in them will wrinkle the toes, do you?”

Plum said, “Well, I’m not going to take a chance. I’m going to walk like this,” and she slid out of the bathroom and down the hall toward the kitchen like a skater with stiff knees. Nancy followed her, swinging her stiff legs forward like a windup doll.

Mr. Campbell watching them come into the kitchen said, “My gosh, that bubble bath must have been too strong. Look, Mary Ann, they’re all stiffened up.”

Plum said, “It’s not that. We don’t want to bend our new shoes. They might wrinkle.”

Mrs. Campbell said, “My goodness, Angus, anybody at all knows that you have to walk stiff-legged in party shoes. Now everybody sit down and eat their soup.”

Nancy and Plum were just choking down the last of their oyster stew when they heard sleigh bells and horses’ hooves, the stamping of snowy feet on the back porch and then loud knocking on the door.

With round scared eyes they looked at each other. Plum said, “I’m afraid to have you go to the door, Uncle Angus.”

Nancy said, “I knew we were too happy.”

“Nonsense,” said Mrs. Campbell. “Probably a neighbor wanting help with a new calf or something. Hurry, Angus, and see who it is.”

The knocking was repeated before Mr. Campbell could cross the kitchen. “Hold your horses,” he said as he swung open the door. There on the back porch stood Old Tom and
beside him, her eyes swollen shut with crying and still gulping with sobs, stood Eunice.

Old Tom said, “She didn’t tell this little one until this afternoon that she wasn’t going home for Christmas. Got the letter from her aunt ’most a week ago, but she didn’t tell her till this afternoon. She’s been out in the barn cryin’ ever since. Thought maybe you’d have room for one more over here.”

Mr. Campbell said, “You bet we have, come right in, both of you.”

Mrs. Campbell said, “You poor little mite,” and clasped Eunice to her warm toasty-smelling bosom.

Nancy and Plum rushed over and hugged Eunice, too. Nancy said, “Oh, Eunice, I’m glad you didn’t go home. You can sleep in our big feather bed with us and we’ll have Christmas together.”

Plum said, “And you can go to the program with us tonight.”

Eunice said, “I can’t go to the program. My dress is dirty and my shoes are soaking wet.”

Nancy said, “You can wear my new dress. It’s silk and has a big whirly skirt. I’ll wear a school dress.”

Mrs. Campbell said, “That’s sweet of you, Nancy, dear, but it won’t be necessary. I have a new dress and new party shoes for Eunice.”

“How could you?” asked Plum. “I mean, how did you know Eunice was coming?”

“I guess an angel must have told me,” said Mrs. Campbell.
“Now, while I get Eunice’s clothes, you girls help her out of those wet things and fix Tom and her some hot oyster stew.”

Nancy fixed the stew while Plum took off Eunice’s soggy worn-out shoes and soggy thin coat, then held them up and in an exact imitation of Mrs. Monday said, “You see, deah, deah Mr. Remson, these lovely, lovely garments and these beautiful brand new shoes? Well, this horrible little child, this greedy, selfish little Eunice isn’t satisfied with them and is demanding something bettah.” Eunice and Nancy laughed and laughed and then Aunt Mary Ann came in with the sky-blue velvet dress, brand new underwear and socks, and the new party shoes. Nancy and Plum shrieked with joy, but Eunice couldn’t believe it. Shyly she stroked the soft velvet dress, but she didn’t offer to take any of the things.

Mrs. Campbell said, “They’re for you, dear. Here.”

Eunice said, “Are you sure, Mrs. Campbell? Are you very sure?”

“I’m as sure as I’m standing here,” Mrs. Campbell said. “Just try them on and see, but first you’ve got to eat your soup and take a bath. Plum, you go in and run the water in the tub and be sure and put in plenty of bubble bath. Nancy, you put Eunice’s shoes and clean underwear in the bathroom and take her dress upstairs. Now everybody scat or we’ll be late for the program.”

“The program,” Nancy said. “What about Eunice? She hasn’t got an angel costume.”

Eunice said, “Oh, Nancy, it doesn’t make any difference.
Only you and Plum are the angels. The rest of us just wear regular dresses.”

Mrs. Campbell said, “Are you sure, honey? Because I could take one of my white petticoats and fix you something.”

“Oh, no, Mrs. Campbell,” Eunice said, “I’m not supposed to wear an angel dress and, anyway, even if I was, I don’t think I’d want to. Not with that beautiful blue velvet one to wear.”

While Eunice was taking her bath, Mrs. Campbell helped Nancy and Plum into their taffeta dresses with the whirly skirts, took down their rag curlers and curled their hair around her finger.

“What are you going to do about Eunice’s hair?” Plum wanted to know. “She said she washed it this morning, but of course old muscley fingers Mrs. Monday braided it into braids as hard as rocks.”

Mrs. Campbell said, “You hold your head still, young lady, or I’ll braid your hair. There, that’s better. Now, about Eunice. The dress, underwear and party shoes I gave her were really meant for Nancy. I made you girls each new dresses and sent away for the slippers before I knew that Uncle John was sending them to you. Of course we won’t say a word to Eunice and after Christmas I’ll make Nancy another dress and get her some more shoes. It was just pure luck about the dress and shoes, but I’m afraid I can’t produce curls. Not this late anyway.”

“Oh, it won’t make any difference anyway,” Nancy said. “We’ll undo the braids and brush out her hair and it will be all wavy and will look beautiful. Golly, wasn’t it lucky about the
dress? It’s just beautiful, Aunty Mary Ann. Really a lot prettier than this one Uncle John sent.”

“That’s just because it’s the color of your eyes, Nancy,” Mrs. Campbell said.

“What color is mine?” Plum asked.

“Cherry-red,” Mrs. Campbell said.

“Just the color of your eyes,” Nancy said, and she and Plum laughed.

When Aunty Mary Ann finished her hair, Plum whirled around and around until her skirt stood out like a parasol and her curls stretched out long and sprang back like watch springs. “Now,” she said, “the only things that Marybelle has that we don’t have are near-together eyes, a squeaky voice and a big crabby aunt.”

Nancy laughed, but Aunt Mary Ann said, “You might have a big crabby aunt, too, if you don’t stop shaking your head and trying to make your curls come out.”

Plum gave her a big hug and said, “You couldn’t be crabby, you don’t know how.”

Mrs. Campbell kissed her and said, “Now scoot upstairs and bring down the coats while I finish Nancy. Bring Nancy’s blue Sunday-School coat for Eunice and in on my bed is a little white fur muff and tippet I had when I was a little girl. Bring those.”

“What’s a tippet?” Plum asked.

“A little fur scarf,” Mrs. Campbell said. “Now scat.”

Just then Eunice came out of the bathroom. Her eyes were only a little swollen now and even that didn’t show, they were
so happy and shining. Her cheeks were bright pink and she was wearing the new ruffly petticoat and her new party shoes.

She was walking stiff-legged, of course, but Aunt Mary Ann knelt down, punched the toes of the shoes and pronounced them a perfect fit.

“Now,” she said, giving Eunice a hug and a kiss, “you look good enough to eat. Now hurry upstairs and put on that new dress. It’s almost time to go.”

As soon as Eunice had left, Nancy said, “What about the doll? Where is it? And will there be anything else under the Christmas tree for Eunice?”