“So it won’t be time wasted to have our Christmas holidays?” remarked Lulu, half inquiringly.

“No, I think not,” her father answered.

“Shall we take our new games to Ion with us, papa?” she asked.

“If you wish.  I presume Grandma Elsie will not object to your taking any of your possessions with you that you think will be useful or enjoyable to yourselves or others.”

“I’m just sure she won’t; ’cause she’s so kind,” said Grace.  “But I s’pose it won’t do to take our live new pets?”

“No; but you may safely leave them in Christine’s care.”

Breakfast and family worship were over, such of their effects as they would be likely to need during the few days of their expected stay at Ion, had been packed and sent, the family carriage was at the door, and every body nearly ready to get into it, when there was an arrival.

Harold and Herbert had come over on horseback, Rosie and Evelyn in the Ion carriage.

They came running in with their “Merry Christmases and Happy New Years,” to receive a return in kind.

“Don’t think for a moment that we have come to prevent you from accepting your invitation to Ion as promptly as possible,” said Herbert gaily; “we’ve come after you, and are glad to perceive, in your attire, signs of readiness to depart.”

“But we want to peep at your tree first,” put in Rosie, “that’s one thing that brought us.”

“And we’ve a proposal to make,” said Harold; “namely that you all accompany us to the Oaks for a short call on Uncle Horace and the rest—­and their Christmas tree of course—­before going over to Ion.  The air is delightfully bracing, the roads are good, and if we find there is time, perhaps we might as well extend our ride to the Laurels, and give Aunt Rose a call, in case we reach there before the family have left home for Ion.  What do you say captain? and you Vi?”

Both approved, and the children were much pleased with the idea.  But they wanted first to have time to show their presents to Rosie and Evelyn.

That was granted, the callers were all taken in to see the tree, dog, bird and pussy were exhibited, the pretty things found in the stockings also, and when all had been duly admired they set out upon their jaunt.

The four little girls, Rosie, Evelyn, Lulu and Grace, had the Ion carriage to themselves, and full of life and spirits, enjoyed their drive extremely.

Both calls were made, only a short time spent at each place—­hardly more than enough for an exchange of greetings and a hasty examination, of the Christmas trees and gifts—­then they drove on to Ion, and the holiday festivities so long looked forward to by the young people with such eager expectation and delight, began.

The first thing of course was to take a view of the Christmas tree and the presents.

Rosie and Evelyn had declined to tell what they were until they could show them, even refusing to answer Lulu’s eager query, put while they were driving to the Oaks, “O Rosie, did your mamma give you the set of pearls you wanted so badly?”