`` Then maybe she would n't think she knew so much more than other people . '' All parcels that came in the mail from distant friends were taken charge of by Aunts Janet and Olivia , not to be opened until the great day of the feast itself . How slowly the last week passed ! But even watched pots will boil in the fulness of time , and finally Christmas day came , gray and dour and frost-bitten without , but full of revelry and rose-red mirth within . Uncle Roger and Aunt Olivia and the Story Girl came over early for the day ; and Peter came too , with his shining , morning face , to be hailed with joy , for we had been afraid that Peter would not be able to spend Christmas with us . His mother had wanted him home with her . `` Of course I ought to go , '' Peter had told me mournfully , `` but we wo n't have turkey for dinner , because ma ca n't afford it . And ma always cries on holidays because she says they make her think of father . Of course she ca n't help it , but it ai n't cheerful . Aunt Jane would n't have cried . Aunt Jane used to say she never saw the man who was worth spoiling her eyes for . But I guess I 'll have to spend Christmas at home . '' At the last moment , however , a cousin of Mrs. Craig 's in Charlottetown invited her for Christmas , and Peter , being given his choice of going or staying , joyfully elected to stay . So we were all together , except Sara Ray , who had been invited but whose mother would n't let her come . `` Sara Ray 's mother is a nuisance , '' snapped the Story Girl . `` She just lives to make that poor child miserable , and she wo n't let her go to the party tonight , either . '' `` It is just breaking Sara 's heart that she ca n't , '' said Cecily compassionately . `` I 'm almost afraid I wo n't enjoy myself for thinking of her , home there alone , most likely reading the Bible , while we 're at the party . '' `` She might be worse occupied than reading the Bible , '' said Felicity rebukingly . `` But Mrs. Ray makes her read it as a punishment , '' protested Cecily .
`` Whenever XXXXX cries to go anywhere -- and of course she 'll cry tonight -- Mrs. Ray makes her read seven chapters in the Bible .
Cecily Charlottetown Jane Janet Olivia Ray Sara fulness morning rebukingly