“Wait till we get to Ion and I’ll show you all my presents; I received a good many and ought not to fret if I did not get everything I wanted,” was what Rosie said in reply, and Lulu, understanding it to mean that there was some disappointment, concluded that the pearls had not been given.

She was the more convinced of it when the presents on and about the tree had been displayed and no pearls among them.

Rosie seemed in excellent spirits, however, and Lulu thought she had good reason to be, for the gifts she showed as hers were many and desirable.

The guests, all relatives or connections, arrived within a few minutes of each other and for a little while were all gathered together in the tree room—­as the children called it for the time—­and a very merry, lively set they were.

But presently they scattered to their respective rooms to dress for dinner, or at least to remove their outside garments.

The Raymonds were given the same apartments that had been appropriated to them when living at Ion; Gracie sharing Lulu’s room, which communicated directly with the one where the captain and Violet would sleep.

Rosie went with the little girls to their room, to see that they had everything to make them comfortable, because, as she said, they were her guests this time.

“You don’t need to change your dresses, I am sure,” she remarked as they threw off their coats.

“No,” replied Lulu, “these are what papa told us to wear for the rest of the day, and they are as suitable and pretty as any we have.”

“Yes, they’re lovely,” said Rosie; “your papa does dress you beautifully.  I, too, am dressed for the day, and I’d like you both to come to my room for a while.  Eva is there taking off her things; she’s to share my room while the house is so full.  I thought you would want Eva for your bedfellow, but mamma said your father would want his two little girls close beside him.”

“Yes, and that’s where we like to be,” Lulu answered quickly and in a very pleasant tone.  “It seems like home here in this room, too.  Now we’re ready to go with you, Rosie; we’ve got our things off and seen that our hair is all right.”

Rosie led the way to her room where they found, not Eva only, but all the little girl cousins, having a chat while waiting for the summons to dinner.

Rosie hastily threw off her coat and hat, then opening a bureau drawer, took from it a jewel case saying with a look of exultation, “I have something to show you, girls, mamma’s Christmas gift to me;” and raising the lid she displayed a beautiful pearl necklace and bracelets.

“So she did give them to you!” they exclaimed in surprised chorus, for they had supposed all the presents had been already shown them.  “O Rosie, how lovely!”

“I’m ever so glad for you Rosie,” said Lulu; “but I’d about made up my mind that Grandma Elsie thought about buying the pearls for you as papa did about the ring I wanted.”