`` Christmas will soon be over , '' said Cecily , with a sigh . `` Has n't it been a nice one ? It 's the first we 've all spent together . Do you suppose we 'll ever spend another together ? '' `` Lots of 'em , '' said Dan cheerily . `` Why not ? '' `` Oh , I do n't know , '' answered Cecily , her footsteps lagging somewhat . `` Only things seem just a little too pleasant to last . '' `` If Willy Fraser had had as much spunk as Peter , Miss Cecily King might n't be so low spirited , '' quoth Dan , significantly . Cecily tossed her head and disdained reply . There are really some remarks a self-respecting young lady must ignore . CHAPTER IV . NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS If we did not have a white Christmas we had a white New Year . Midway between the two came a heavy snowfall . It was winter in our orchard of old delights then , -- so truly winter that it was hard to believe summer had ever dwelt in it , or that spring would ever return to it . There were no birds to sing the music of the moon ; and the path where the apple blossoms had fallen were heaped with less fragrant drifts . But it was a place of wonder on a moonlight night , when the snowy arcades shone like avenues of ivory and crystal , and the bare trees cast fairy-like traceries upon them . Over Uncle Stephen 's Walk , where the snow had fallen smoothly , a spell of white magic had been woven . Taintless and wonderful it seemed , like a street of pearl in the new Jerusalem . On New Year 's Eve we were all together in Uncle Alec 's kitchen , which was tacitly given over to our revels during the winter evenings .
The Story Girl and XXXXX were there , of course , and Sara Ray 's mother had allowed her to come up on condition that she should be home by eight sharp .
Alec Cecily Fraser Jerusalem King Peter Stephen evenings first night