 James and Sigfried treat a gypsy family s ailing donkey. It s Christmas-time and Sigfried gets to visit the Hewison farm and a chance to taste Mrs. Hewison s Christmas cake, the best in the district. Only she has a surprise for him this year. Tristan wonders if uncle Herriot has any plans to visit Mrs. Pumphrey, in the hopes of getting another hamper from Fortnum and Mason s. When Tricki Woo falls ill, James decides that the dog needs to spend a few days at Skeldale House. Sigfried mysteriously keeps the front room locked, only to arrange a surprise for a very nosy Tristan.