The next morning James and his Dad set out bright and early to bring Mimi home. As they walked in companionable silence, James noticed that the houses and buildings became less and less poor looking; and that when they came to the street where Mimi's owners lived, the houses were all very grand and rich. "5689, here it is," said Father, and he went up the steps to ring the bell with James carrying Mimi right behind. The door opened to reveal a stocky dark haired woman whose eyes lit up with delight at seeing Mimi. "What is it, Isabel?" called out a woman's voice from down the hall. "Its our little Mimi come back home, Miss Pettigrew." called out Isabel. Not long after a graceful, sliver haired older woman appeared behind

Isabel and Mimi gave a squeak of utter delight. She squirmed free of James hold and went straight to Miss Pettigrew, who picked her up and hugged her close. "you have been a most wicked little doggy," said Miss Pettigrew, "Running off that way!" Mimi licked her mistress's face all over. " Now you just wait there a moment," said Miss Pettigrew to James and his Dad. She went into a room just by the door and came out not much later with an envelope in her hand. "Promise me you will not open this until you get home," she said as she handed it to James. "I promise." said James as he put the envelope carefully in his pocket. And waving a last

good-bye at Mimi, James and his Dad went home.

When they arrived home Dad asked everyone to sit around the kitchen table while James opened the envelope. "It's a hundred dollars!" he said and he handed it to Dad. "And an invitation." Betsy pulled at James' sleeve, "What does it say?" James handed the card to Mother, who read: "You are cordially invited to have dinner with Miss Pettigrew on the afternoon of December twenty-fifth at three pee em." "Are we going?" asked James. "Yes, are we?" asked Betsy. "Let your Dad and I discuss it

for a moment." said Mother."Why don't you go and play outside a while, and when we have the answer we will call you." Betsy and James went outside but they did not play, and it took ever so long for mother to call them back inside. "We will go to the Christmas dinner" said Mother as she helped Betsy take off her boots and coat.

Christmas morning arrived bright and clear. There were a few little gifts under the small Christmas tree in the corner of the kitchen living room: new mittens for Betsy; a scarf for James; a squeaky toy for Little Sister;

a lovely brooch for Mother; and new work pants for Father. The morning went fast as everyone prepared for going out to dinner. Precisely at two thirty they set out to walk to Miss Pettigrew's house. James led the way with Mother and Father,who carried Little Sister, just behind him; and Betsy skipped and danced in circles around them all.


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