You get a 2 for 1 today! The first story is by Edward Carson and the 2nd is by me. Reviews are always lovely!

Wrapping Paper
by Edward Carson

"What is this?"

Robert had come across Cora in the small library where she had just opened a parcel. From it had tumbled a number of smaller parcels, all wrapped in brightly decorated paper, a contrast to the plain brown wrapper in which they had been shipped.

"Presents from my mother," Cora said, smiling. She picked up one that was a box of some sort and gently shook it. The curiosity that taxed a child about gifts that were not to be opened until a special moment still animated her.

Robert picked up another package, this one something soft. But he was less interested in the contents than the container. "But what's this it's wrapped in?" he asked, clearly puzzled.

Cora was a little puzzled by the question. "Wrapping paper."

"It doesn't look like wrapping paper."

"Well, it's paper and it's wrapped around a present," she said. His obtuseness was perplexing.

"But there's some sort of design on it. It's not like any tissue I've ever seen."

"No," Cora said patiently. "It's Christmas wrapping paper. See?" She pointed to one of the details of the printing. "That's holly. And it says Merry Christmas in a half circle around it."

She might have told just him that they were dining in the servants' hall. He looked aghast. "What on earth?! Why would anyone do that?"

Ignoring his tone, Cora explained. "Mother says it's a new invention. It comes from a company in Missouri."*

"Missouri." Robert's general distaste for things American was compounded three-fold for being qualified in this way. Missouri!

Cora was accustomed to his disdain and smoothly carried on. "They print cards and they sold wrapping tissue. A few years ago, they ran out and they offered some printed paper instead. It was so successful, they started making their own."

Robert was staring at her. "Let me get this straight. Some American company in Missouri is now selling paper with Christmas designs on it so that people can advertise their presents as being specifically for Christmas, as though the giving of them on that day wasn't sufficient notice."

"Ye-e-es."

He snorted in derision.

"Robert, you make it sound like it's a bad thing."

"Bad? No. Silly and unnecessary, yes. Why would someone want to spend money on wrapping paper for a specific occasion? Better to get a nice-coloured tissue that covers all occasions. No doubt fools will be buying it by the sheet and then feel obliged to purchase more presents to use it up. Or stuffing it into the back of the closet to use next year and forgetting about it and then going out and buying more of it. What a waste of money and paper. And for what? To replace something that doesn't need replacing." He shook his head. "It'll never catch on. People aren't that foolish."

"It's just a little paper, Robert," Cora said, rolling her eyes. "And it's cheerful." She contemplated the package in her hands. "Do you know what would go nice with it?" she said suddenly. "A brightly coloured ribbon!"

* Author's Note: Apparently, it was the Hall brothers of Kansas City, Missouri. Their store? Hallmark. Are you surprised?

Wrapping Paper
by imnotokaywiththerunning

"You've got the kitchen, Daisy!" Mrs. Patmore called over her shoulder. "I'm taking tea to Mrs. Hughes."

She didn't wait for a reply. Daisy jumped at any opportunity to take over the kitchen these days. Mrs. Patmore didn't know how much longer Downton's kitchen would keep the girl's interest.

She pushed the Housekeeper's sitting room door open with her hip and walked inside with the tea tray.

"I brought tea!"

"Close your eyes!"

Both housekeeper and cook froze, staring at each other in shock before Mrs. Hughes relaxed back into her chair with a sigh. "Oh, it's just you."

Mrs. Patmore blinked. "Well, thanks very much."

"Oh, don't be like that." Mrs. Hughes rolled her eyes and stood to clear her side table for the tea tray. She gestured Mrs. Patmore into the seat closest to the door and took the other. "I'm trying to get all the Christmas gifts wrapped and I don't want to spoil anyone's surprise."

"Oh but you're alright to spoil mine," Mrs. Patmore laughed in disbelief.

"Yours was the first one I finished. I did it while you were busy with luncheon. I know how you are with presents," Mrs. Hughes smiled over her teacup until they both burst into laughter.

Mrs. Patmore surveyed the mild chaos that enveloped the usually tidy room. A stack of wrapped boxes took up a small corner of the room, paling in comparison to the as yet unwrapped gifts. Ribbons intermixed with bows and swaths of wrapping paper covered nearly every surface. "Why don't you have one of the maids wrap all this?"

"Some of these belong to them," Mrs. Hughes said simply, snagging a biscuit to nibble. "Besides, they have enough to be getting on with. And I enjoy it."

"To each their own, I suppose," Mrs. Patmore mused. She turned a sharp eye back to the housekeeper. "Who did you think I was when I first walked in?"

The blush that colored Mrs. Hughes's face told her all she needed. Mrs. Patmore grinned and changed the subject to something more interesting. "Has Mr. Carson said anything else about your new house?"

Mrs. Hughes frowned, the blush leaving her face in a rush. "It's not our house."

"Well, not yet, but I'm sure you'll find one you both like."

Mrs. Hughes's voice took on a brittle edge. "No, I mean, it's not our house because we won't be buying one."

It was Mrs. Patmore's turn to frown. "What do you mean? I thought Mr. Carson finally took the hint."

"There was no hint to take," Mrs. Hughes shrugged. "Things just didn't work out is all."

Mrs. Hughes stared defiantly into the cook's eye, daring her to say something. Mrs. Patmore looked away first, deciding not to push her friend on this. Yet.

"Well. I am sorry to hear it," she said sincerely.

Mrs. Hughes stood from her seat and crossed the room. She eyed Mrs. Patmore speculatively before grinning wickedly. "Since you're here, and since you've insisted on staying, you might as well help with this."

She placed a box in Mrs. Patmore's lap along with red wrapping paper and a length of ribbon. The cook's face soon matched the paper and she pushed the box off into her very recently vacated chair.

"I think I hear Daisy calling me. I'll just leave you to it." And she beat a hasty retreat.