They passed out of the room together, the children following.

But on reaching the hall, instead of going into the library they turned toward the parlor on the other side of it, in which, as the children well remembered, last year’s Christmas tree had been set up.

The captain threw open the door, and then stood a larger and finer tree blazing with lights from many tapers and colored lamps, and loaded with beautiful things.

“Oh! oh! what a beauty! what a splendid tree!” cried the children, dancing about and clapping their hands in delight.  “And we didn’t know we were to have any at all.  Mamma Vi you must have had it set up, and trimmed it while we were gone this morning.  Didn’t you?  Oh thank you ever so much!”

“Your father provided it, and your thanks are due to him far more than to me,” Violet replied, with a smiling-glance in his direction.

At that they crowded about him, Max putting a hand affectionately into his and thanking him with hearty words of appreciation, while the little girls hugged and kissed him to his heart’s content.

The servants had gathered about the door, little Elsie’s mammy among them, with her nursling in her arms.

“Oh pretty, pretty!” shouted the little one, clapping her hands in an ecstacy of delight.  “Let Elsie down, mammy.”

“Come to papa,” the captain said, and taking her in his arms carried her to the tree and all around it, pointing out the pretty things.

“What would you like to have?” he asked.  “What shall papa give you off this beautiful tree?”

“Dolly,” she said, reaching out for a lovely bisque doll seated in a tiny chair attached to one of the lower branches.

“You shall have it; it was put there on purpose for papa’s baby girl,” he said, taking it up carefully and putting it into her arms.  “Now let us see what we can find for mamma and your brother and sisters.”

His gift to Violet was some beautiful lace selected with the help of her mother.  He had contrived to add it to the adornments of the tree without her knowledge.  She was greatly pleased when he detached and handed it to her.

Max was delighted to receive a Magic lantern and a Sleight of Hand outfit, Lulu a game of Lawn and Parlor Ring Toss, and a handsome Toilet Case.  Grace had the same and beside a brass bedstead for her dolls, with mattress and pillows, and a large and complete assortment of everything needed for making and dressing paper dolls.  That last was from Lulu.

There were books, periodicals, a type writer and games to be shared by all three, beside other less important gifts from one to the other, and from outside friends.

The servants too, were remembered with gifts suited to their needs and tastes, and there were fruits and confections for all.

Examining their own and each other’s gifts, peeping into the new books, trying the new games, with papa and mamma helping, the children found the evening pass very quickly and delightfully.