He looked as if he enjoyed their surprise and delight quite as much as they did the tree.

“Other folks have been kind to you, too, my darlings,” he said, seating himself, with Gracie still in his arms, “as you will see presently, when the gifts are distributed.”

“Who, papa?” asked Gracie, laying her head on his shoulder, and gazing with delighted eyes, beginning to single out one beautiful object from another as she sent her glances up and down, here and there.

“Grandma Elsie, and everybody else in the Ion family, I believe; the Oaks and Laurels and Fairview friends; and Roselands people too; to say nothing of mamma and Maxie.”

“They’re ever so good and kind! they always are,” she said in grateful tones.  “Oh!” for the first time perceiving that Violet stood near her with the baby in her arms, “mamma and baby too! and how pleased baby looks at the tree!” for the little one was stretching her arms toward it, and cooing and smiling, her pretty blue eyes shining with delight.

When all, children and servants,—­for the latter had been called in to enjoy the sight also,—­had looked to their full, the gifts were distributed.

They were very numerous,—­nearly everybody having given to nearly everybody else,—­and many of those received by the parents and children were very handsome.  But their father’s gift—­a tiny watch to each, to help them to be punctual with all their duties, he said—­was what gave the greatest amount of pleasure to Lulu and Grace.

Both they and their brother went to bed that night, and woke the next morning, very happy children.

The weather being still too severe for the little ones to be taken out, the captain and Violet went to Ion only for a call, and returned early in the day, bringing a portion of the party that usually gathered there, to dine with them at Woodburn.

Among these, to Lulu’s extreme satisfaction, was Evelyn.  She staid till after tea; and all the afternoon, there was much passing to and fro of the different members of the large family connection.

Evelyn was to be at the Oaks for the next few days, with the other young people, and regretted greatly that Lulu was not to go too.

But Lulu’s rebellious feeling about it was a thing of the past.  She told Evelyn frankly her father’s reason for refusing his consent, adding that she felt that he was right, and that he was so dear, so kind and indulgent in every thing that he thought best to allow, that she was now entirely satisfied to stay at home; particularly as Gracie was not well, and needed her nursing.

Grace went early to bed and to sleep.  Max and Evelyn had gone to the Oaks:  there were only grown people in the parlors now; and Lulu did not care to be there, even if she had not wanted to be near her sleeping sister.

There was an open, glowing fire in their little sitting-room, a high fender of polished brass obviating all danger from it to the children’s skirts.  Lulu seated herself in an easy-chair beside it, and fell into a reverie, unusually deep and prolonged for her.