But if the few, like Mrs. Mullet, were inclined to criticize, the many, like her husband, united in declaring Mary to be “all right.”  And her rearranging and displaying of the Christmas goods helped her and her uncles to dispose of them.  In fact, for the three days before Christmas it became necessary to call in the services of Annabel as assistant saleslady.  The store was crowded, particularly in the evenings, and Zoeth and Captain Shad experienced for the first time in months the sensation of being the heads of a prosperous business.

“Looks good to see so many young folks in here, don’t it, Zoeth?” observed the Captain.  “And not only girls, but fellers, too.  Don’t know when I’ve seen so many young fellers in here.  Who’s that young squirt Mary-’Gusta’s waitin’ on now?  The one with the whittled-in back to his overcoat.  Say, Solomon in all his glory wasn’t arrayed like one of him!  Must be some city feller, eh?  Nobody I know.”

Zoeth looked at his niece and her customer.

“Humph!” he said.  “Guess you ain’t rubbed your glasses lately, Shadrach.  That’s Dan Higgins.”

Mr. Higgins it was, home for a few days’ relaxation from the fatigues of coffin selling, and garbed as usual in city clothes the splendor of which, as Captain Shad said afterwards, “would have given a blind man eyestrain.”  Daniel’s arms were filled with purchases and he and Mary were standing beside the table where the toys and games were displayed.  Mary was gazing at the toys; Mr. Higgins was—­not.

The partners regarded the pair for a moment.  Shadrach frowned.

“Humph!” he grunted.

“Daniel’s tryin’ to find somethin’ his little brother’ll like,” explained Zoeth.

“Yes,” observed the Captain, dryly.  “Well, he looks as if he’d found somethin’ he liked pretty well.  Here, Mary-’Gusta, I’ll finish waitin’ on Dan.  You just see what Mrs. Nickerson wants, will you, please?”

Christmas Eve ended the rush of business for Hamilton and Company.  The following week, the last of Mary’s vacation, was certain to be dull enough.  “Nothin’ to do but change presents for folks,” prophesied Captain Shad.  “Give them somethin’ they want and take back somethin’ we don’t want.  That kind of trade is like shovelin’ fog up hill, more exercise than profit.”

Christmas was a happy day at the white house by the shore, a day of surprises.  To begin with, there were the presents which were beside the plates at breakfast.  Mary had brought gifts for all, Captain Shadrach, Zoeth, and Isaiah.  There was nothing expensive, of course, but each had been chosen to fit the taste and liking of the recipient and there was no doubt that each choice was a success.  Isaiah proudly displayed a jacknife which was a small toolchest, having four blades, a corkscrew, a screwdriver, a chisel, a button-hook and goodness knows what else besides.