I got this slim Penguin 60s softcover at the Used Book Superstore in Burlington MA. It's a very charming little tale in which the Waters sisters, Mary and Margaret, try to cope with their new neighbors in their tiny rural village. At first things are rocky, as the neighbors don't seem to adhere to local custom re visits and invitations. The neighbors also come under criticism for the number of rather raucous children they have, with another on the way. (There's a funny scene early on where one child visits the sisters to ask if they have any string; the sisters save all their string and keep it, neatly coiled, in a drawer, while the neighbor needs it because, as the child explains, her mother always cuts off and discards the string from *their* packages. The sisters are nice to the child but do a lot of harrumphing once she's gone home.)

On Christmas, however, matters take a turn when the mother goes into labor while the father's out of town and the local nurse is attending to other families. This leaves the sisters to step in and tend to the older kids while trying to comfort the mother - and the whole thing turns into a chaotic yet charming holiday tale.

I left this book, bagged for protection, in the Bicentennial Trail #1 geocache in Amherst NH; hope the finder enjoys it!

*** Released as part of the 2016 Christmas/Holiday release challenge. ***

*** Released as part of the 2016 What's In A Name release challenge, for the embedded "Chris" in the title. ***

[Update, 4/28/2020: I spotted this book today, safe and sound in a different cache, the NH Rt13 Travel Bug Hotel. Thanks to whoever moved it along; hope someone else will enjoy it!]