It seemed to me there could be nothing more to come, when a loud “baa, baa” started us, and Ben appeared, leading the whitest little lamb you ever saw.  He had tied a blue ribbon about its neck, and it trotted along up to us as if pleased with the novelty of its situation.

“Your namesake and my gift,” said Ben.  I was truly surprised, but thanked him heartily, and the friends about us laughed immoderately.  This caused the lamb to look for some way out, and Ben went with it at a quick pace, shouting back, “I raised Emily myself, and she’s a beauty.”  The next surprise was from Hal and Mary—­two pieces from the hand of my artist brother, “Love’s Fawn,” and “Aunt Hildy.”  Duplicates of these were at that time hastening across the water with Mr. Hanson, who was anxious to take a venture over for Hal.  When they were placed before us, Louis and myself exclaimed admiringly: 

“How beautiful!”

Aunt Hildy, who stood near, said, “There, Halbert Minot, you’ve done it now!” and passed, like a swift wind through the room.  I feared she felt hurt, but was disarmed of this thought, for she returned in a moment, and over the statuette she threw her old Camlet cloak.

“That is my present to you two,” she said, standing beside it as if empowered with authority.  “To God’s children I give this, and you shall share it with ’em.  I make one provision,” she added.  “Mis’ Hungerford-Dayton is to have the sleeves for carpet-rags; you can cut it up when she comes.  It’s all I’ve got to give; but the Lord will make it blest.”  We took this as a crowning joke; and still to me it seemed to embrace a solid something, and set me dreaming.

When the hour of ten arrived the last of our guests were leaving; and, as I stood at the door with Louis saying “Good-night,” the echo of the words went ringing over the hills; and when it fluttered back, seemed to my heart to say, “It will be morning soon.”

As we went into the sitting-room, Clara said:  “Now that the guests have all examined my gifts, it will do for my dear ones to look also,” and she led the way into our old middle-room, and pointing to the antique service, said: 

“These are yours; I have them for my boy.  There are false bottoms to the three largest pieces, and within them you will find the gift your father left you, Louis, to be given to you when you should become a man.  I did not tell the others of this,” she added.  “Here, my Emily, is something you I know will prize,—­the set of pearls my Louis Robert gave me on my wedding day.  They are very valuable.  Keep them; and if changes should ever bring want before you, you have a fortune here.  See how beautiful they are.”  And she held up a string of large, round pearls to which clung an ornament, in shape somewhat like an anchor, of the same precious gems, two of which were pear-shaped and very large.  The ear-rings and brooch were of the most exquisite pattern.  I had never seen anything so beautiful, and had no word for expression, and Clara said: