the box. It was without doubt the largest one there and when the auctioneer picked it up, he said, "This looks like something you could pick potatoes in.‘ I took it as an insult and felt really embarrassed. The feeling was for my mother beause I thought that she would feel the same way as I did. I did not even mention it to her afterwards so I jusr suffered it out alone. It probably did not bother hera bit. My dad bought the basket because he knew the quality and quantity it contained.

There were house parties now and then with lots of fiddling, dancing, piano music and singing. Young and old gathered. Everyone enjoyed himselfor herself and hated when it was time to lave.

Christmasdinthoseyarswererallytimestoremember. Itwas a joytowatchthc makingofaka and pudding. Thosewere tbneearly and not left to the last minute. The fruit smelled and looked so good as itwas being cut up. Ialways relateearlyChristmaseswith the smellof apples and oranges as these were the only times when we could have such choice fruits in the house.

The first couple of Christnnses I remember, we went to bed fairly early believing that Santa would come after we were asleep. Mom and dad then brought in the tree and trimmed it. I shall never forget the magic of that first Christmas morning, which lean remember, to come downstairs arlyand finda beautifully trimmed tree in the comcrof the dining room It was overwhelming. That sight was almost enough in itself. There were gifts too-not like the gifts of todaybut I think that they were appreciated more. Margaret and I got our first and only dolls for Christmas. My aunt sent them from Boston. They were large china dolls with movable limbs and sleeping eyes. Mine was dressed' tn pale blue and Margaret's in pale pink. They had black patent shoes and white stockings. We spent many happy hours playing with them over the next two or three years.

Another event which I must tell about is the visit of my aunt who belonged to the Sisters of St. Ann. She had joined the order at an early ageandthiswasherfirsttriphackto the Island. Atthattimethe sisters were not permitted to travel alone.

Her travelling companion was another sister about her own age. lthinkthattheywereallowedabout ten days tovisit. Beausewe lived so far from a convent or the Charlottetown Hospital, they were given spoc'nl permission to stay with us for the duration of their holidays. They enjoyed it very much. They liked to stroll through the fields and pick wild flowers.

My dad rented a double sated buggy to drive them around. As children we were terribly excited when we saw this very classylooking carriage come into ouryard. It had square mndle lamps on both sides and lather curtains with small windows of isinglass that could be rolled down in case of rain. lam certain that those sisters enjoyed it as much as we did.

The sisters particularly liked the shore below the house. There was a flat bottomed row boat anchored there and when the tide was in they liked to sit in it and do their praying and meditating and just ride around in it.

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