Read Online The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online

cleanse her conscience a bit too.
    It was almost five now and the time when she usually set out her grandmother’s dinner and then said good-night and headed back to her dorm. But since she was taking Mrs. Daniels to the birthday party, she was unsure as to what she should do. After her mopping spree, she suddenly felt as if she really should run back to her dorm and change before the party, but then she wasn’t sure whattime they needed to leave, or even how far away the house was. Why hadn’t she thought of this sooner?
    â€œWhat are you doing in there?” Mrs. Daniels called from the dining room.
    Christine poked her head out of the swinging doors. “I just finished some mopping. Don’t come in here though, the floor’s still damp, you might slip.” She put the mop and bucket back in the laundry room closet and went back to check on her grandmother.
    â€œMopping?” the old woman said as she sat up straight in her chair.
    â€œIt looked like it needed it.”
    â€œI suppose it did.”
    â€œDo you want me to fix you a bite to eat before I leave?”
    â€œLeave?” she looked alarmed. “Where are you going?”
    â€œI thought maybe I could run back to my dorm and change before it’s time to go.”
    â€œBut we should be leaving for the party in about twenty minutes, and I need you to help me change.”
    â€œWell, do you want me to fix you something to eat, then?”
    â€œDidn’t I tell you it’s a dinner party?”
    â€œA dinner party for a seven-year-old?”
    â€œWell, they had the kiddy party this afternoon,” she explained. “They always invite their grown-up friends and relatives over in the evening for another party.” She laughed in that cynical way. “Ensures the kids get more gifts that way.”
    â€œOh.”
    So Christine stayed and helped Mrs. Daniels get dressedin a pair of black knit pants and a burgundy velvet jacket. “You look really nice,” she told her when they were finally done.
    Mrs. Daniels patted her hair. “Best I can do under the circumstances.” She frowned at Christine. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
    Christine looked down at her gray sweatshirt and jeans. “Well, I thought maybe I’d have time to go home and change, but then the party was earlier than I thought . . .”
    â€œWell, it just won’t do. Felicity is, shall we say, a bit of a snob.” She rolled her eyes. “She likes for people to dress and act right. Especially at her little parties. Now go in there and look in my closet. I’m sure my trousers would be too big for you, but see if you can find a different shirt to wear. Something that looks respectable. Choose whatever you like, I don’t care.”
    Christine tried not to show her displeasure at this task. The last thing she wanted to do right now was to don some fuddy-duddy old lady shirt. But she felt bad that she hadn’t planned ahead better and decided that she should at least be cooperative. She hunted for a bit until she found a rust-colored turtleneck sweater that wasn’t too bad. She held it out to show Mrs. Daniels, who was waiting comfortably in the easy chair by the window.
    â€œHow about this?”
    â€œThat should look good on you. Will go nicely with your hair.”
    Christine went back into the closet and slipped it on to discover it was quite soft and cozy. She emerged with a self-conscious smile. “It fits okay.”
    â€œBetter than it fits me, I suspect.” Mrs. Daniels pushedherself up from the chair and fumbled for her crutches. “In fact, you should just keep it. That color makes me look too sallow anyway. Something I don’t need at this stage of life.” She chuckled. “I will say this for you though. For a girl without money, you certainly have good taste.”
    â€œHuh?” Christine was walking behind her down the