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Show Nettie, Page 105 Nettie's face for her. "Open your package, dear. Tex helped me pick it out." Nettie smiled tremulously and fumbled with the wrappings. "Oh, they're beautiful. They're lovely," Nettie's gratitude was genuine as she handled the three lovely combs made of tortoise shell with small seed pearls and rhinestones in a lovely leaf design across the top. The small pearls were warm with a soft pink cast and the tiny rhine-tones glittered in the subdued light. "I could just see them in your beautiful hair." "Mrs. Tex, you've made me feel so much better. It's turned out to be Christmas for me, too." Mrs. Tex smiled. "What a special surprise. How can I tell you how happy it has made me?" "Nettie, love, just to see you smile again tells me everything I need to know," Mrs. Tex hugged Nettie's shoulders. Gradually the water at Nettie's feet grew cold, but she scarcely noticed as she and Mrs. Tex continued to chat as the early hours of Christmas morning stole quietly into the room. I just knew this night was going to be special. It has turned out to be a lovely Christmas, even if I do miss being home. Mrs. Tex brought me the loveliest gift-a gift from someone who isn't even one of my family! Can you believe that? I'm just fine now-for a while when I came back to my room after singing all those carols I felt so miserable, but now, it's all right. It's fine and it's going to be even better. What Mrs. Tex did-that gift-I think that's the nicest thing anyone could do. I'm going to remember that. Next Christmas I'm going to get someone a gift who will least |