Daily obligations, a large correspondence, school in session, all pressing their demands on my time, may apologize for one public expression to you all of my heartfelt thanks for your rare Christmas presents. From such a constellation of beautiful things, I can name only the central figures.
A magnificent French clock, whose silver-toned bell voices the hours sweetly as vintage songs; a beautiful silver tea-set, vase of bisque, unique in design, an exquisite Madonna, a thermometer, in pretty design of leaves and buds, elegant pocket-handkerchiefs, standard works in handsomely bound volumes, etc., etc.
If things and thoughts correspond, as we Christian Scientists understand, I can never on paper idealize my gratitude to you one tithe as beautifully as you have given expression to yours. Were the substance of my thoughts sent forth to you in packages, they would be found after the style of the Orient,—"gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh." I should greatly have enjoyed celebrating with you earth's natal of the Christ idea, and expressing my gratitude in propria persona for your priceless tokens of regard.
