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 Sara cries to go anywhere -- and of course she 'll cry tonight -- Mrs. Ray makes her read seven chapters in the Bible . I would n't think that would make her very fond of it . And I 'll not be able to talk the party over with Sara afterwards -- and that 's half the fun gone . '' `` You can tell her all about it , '' comforted Felix . `` Telling is n't a bit like talking it over , '' retorted Cecily . `` It 's too one-sided . '' We had an exciting time opening our presents .
Some of us had more than others , but we all received enough to make us feel comfortably that we were not unduly neglected XXXXX the matter .
At Of So about as except for in like to