"And me?" Phebe pranced impatiently.
"Oh, Babe, I forgot you."
"Hush, Babe; there's Billy's chair," Hope said, endeavoring to suppress her young sister.
"Did you know Patrick brought over a bundle, Hu?" Theodora whispered. "I saw mamma slying it into the house. 'Twas a big one, too."
"Really?" Hubert tried to look as innocent as if Billy had not consulted him about Theodora's Christmas gift.
"Yes, I'm so glad now that I hemstitched that handkerchief. It is fairly covered with my gore where I pricked myself; but he won't be critical, I hope."
The babel of greeting and chatter was hushed, as Hope took her seat at the piano and the children gathered around her to sing their favorite carol. The last note had scarcely died away when Allyn, at a signal from Hubert, gave a joyous shriek and plunged upon the basket.
"One at a time," Hope cautioned him; "and bring the bundle to sister, so she can read the writing on it."
The first package chanced to contain his much-desired horsey, and he retired to a corner to embrace it, while Phebe and then Theodora took their turns at drawing.
"Draw for me, please," Billy asked Theodora, when his turn came.