"Mother,why this winter is not like the old times?" Walter asked. He looked gloomy.
The November snow had melted,and the whole December looked dismal.
The people in Ingleside were preparing for Christmas,and by the last week,all the things were ready.
Walter and Gem brought a Christmas tree from the hills.
That afternoon,when they all thought it was a 'gloomy' Christmas,someone saw some snowflakes.
"It's snowing! This year has White Christmas too,Mother!" Gem called.
The children of the Ingleside went to bed happily that night.
And,Anne and Susan started to decorate the tree.
"What a childish thing to do,both of you." Aunt Mary Mariah said sarcastically.
She was reluctant to put candles on the tree. 'What if the house is in a fire because of it?' She thought.
She worried too much,but no one minded.
They all learned that they could just not mind it,and it was not a big deal.
"Finished! Isn't it wonderful,Susan? I just hope that the storm is finished by tomorrow.
Or at least,I hope no patients would be needed to taken care of tonight."
The next morning,the morning sun shined on the hills.
All the children was wide awake with hopes.
"Mother,did Santa Claus came through the storm?"
Susan replied quickly. "Yes. After breakfast,let's see what he did on our Christmas tree."
The Christmas tree was awesome. The candles were blazing around,and sparkling beads decorated the tree.
Then,Santa Claus appeared. Anne made a red velvet clothes for Gilbert,and Susan put 3 cushions in it.
The Santa(Or Gilbert to be precise) gave presents to all of the children.
Then,at the last moment,his white beard caught fire a bit.
Aunt Mary Mariah was satisfied in some way for that event.
Anne opened a box that 'Little' Elizabeth sent in Paris.
"Who is that boorish women?" Aunt Mary Mariah asked sharply.
"Diana,goddess of hunting(In greek myths,Artemis. I don't know how the name changed.)."
"Then,I won't mind it if it's a different religion."
Aunt Mary Mariah gave children mittens,and a scarf for Anne,necktie for Gilbert,and a red petticoat for Susan.
Susan thought that object was outdated,but she said thanks anyway.
That day,Ingleside was filled with happiness.
They were happy,even when Mary Mariah were around(Even she complained about many things).
"Give me just a soft spot of the turkey. James,eat quietly. Gilbert,you can't cut meat properly. Your father was better. No,no. I don't need salad. I don't eat raw vegetables. Now,Annie. Give me some pudding. I can't digest pie properly. Walter,eat your bread. And James,get your noses cleared up."
That night,Anne gazed at the trees by the sunset on the white field.
The children were feeding birds with bread crumbs.
Ingleside had a pleasent day,just as they hoped.
The children gave food to 7 jays. For some reason,they let Gem catch them.
Every evening,Anne read flower catalogues. Soon,March was on the way.
Then,April came. And,it rained.
After that,a bright sun shined the place all around them.
Gem brought some flowers to mother,and it annoyed Aunt Mary Mariah.
She thought that she would get some.
Susan began cleaning,and Anne literally 'Lived in the garden'.(Know what it means)
No one could stop her. She did many things to the garden,and she was like that every spring.
"Oh,Susan. I would like to do a birthday party next week."
Susan was confused. No one had a birthday on the end of May.
"It's Aunt Mary Mariah. She's turning 55. So I thought..."
"Are you sure you're going to hold it? What---"
"Calm down,Susan. She'll be glad if we celebrate."
"I think I would have a day off. Then I don't care."
"If you think that,then I'll just forget about it."
"She did everything bad to you,and you want to celebrate? Fine. Then I have to prepare all of it if you want."
So,the plan was set. Susan thought that if she's doing this,she has to make it perfect.
The next week was covered in mystery. Everyone must not tell her about it.
But,they never considered rumors,and just the day before the party,Mary Mariah entered and said about the party.
"I don't know why you do it. The weather is too unpredictable."
Anne was relieved. She never knew that the party was set on her.
When she left,Anne said to Susan,"Keep the side door opened for the doctor.
Gilbert went to buy some yellow roses."
On the day of the party,Anne and Susan woke up early.
They made final preparations.
When a guest arrived,the person was welcomed by Anne and Aunt Mary Mariah.
Everything had been working,just as she planned.
The food,the flowers... Everything looked perfect.
But,when Susan brought a cake with 55 candles on it,Anne realized that something was wrong.
At first,Anne didn't realize the ex-pression on Aunt Mary Mariah. But she thought that she didn't look happy.
"Are you okay?" Anne asked.
At that moment,the twins gave roses to her and congratulated her.
After Aunt Mary Mariah blew out the candle,she said,"Now,I may be excused."
The door slammed shut,and all the guests looked blank.
Everyone had left,just enough not to be excused.
Anne ran toward Aunt Mary Mariah's room."What's wrong?"
"Why do you have to tell everyone about my age?"
"We just thought..."
"I don't know what you're thinking. I know that something is behind this. But I won't tell."
"Aunt Mary Mariah,we just wanted you to have a good birthday."
That night,Gilbert thought about it and said," Now that I thought about it,she was sensitive about her age. My father teased her about it sometimes. But,don't stop her."
Susan could not believe it. "It could not be true. That's too good to be."
But she was wrong. The next day,Aunt Mary Mariah left. And,she said that she forgive everyone.
At first,everyone could not believe their good luck. She is gone,and they can laugh freely.
"Everything's filled with feelings,mother." Walter said.
Susan added,"This is going to be a great June. God knows what will happen. And,isn't it good to add some onions for dinner?"