Still, Dick found that after supper had been dispatched he was feeling in a better humor. Perhaps the meal had something to do with this; then again the fact that it was Christmas Eve was to be considered, for after all Dick was a lad whose spirits were buoyant.
Perhaps, too, the way in which Uncle Silas tried to make them forget the new trouble may have had something to do with the change in his feelings. Indeed, never had the wanderer shown himself in such a happy mood. It seemed as though he must be exerting himself to the utmost with the idea of making the others forget.
The stories he told of his life in the frozen North, where men hunted for the hidden gold amidst glaciers and snowbanks, were full of rollicking humor. He had dear old grandpop laughing heartily at his comical descriptions; and Dick confessed that having Uncle Silas there at such a time of distress was as good as a tonic.
A knock at the door came about eight o’clock. Dick went to see who was there. As a rule, he would have expected to find one of his chums, or a neighbor; but tonight he felt nervous, and half anticipated discovering an unwelcome visitor in the shape of some officer, who would tell them their home was to be attached for debt.
“Good evening to ye, Dick,” said a voice. “Mr. Nocker he says I am to give ye this same package, which is from his daughter, and little Billy.”
“Oh! is it you, Pat?” remarked Dick, considerably relieved. “All right, I’ll take it in; and be sure to tell them all we send them a lot of thanks for remembering us, and hope they’ll have a real Merry Christmas.”
It was quite a package, and Dick laughed as he placed it on the table.
“To think of them remembering the Horners at Christmas,” he remarked, as she stared at the package. “I guess after all it isn’t going to be such a dull time for some of us. Shall I open it now, Mother, or leave it till the morning?”
“Suit yourself, Son,” she told him. “Many people give their gifts the night before Christmas; and perhaps you’ll sleep better if you see what it contains now.”
“Well, I believe I’ll just have to do it,” said Dick, with which he soon whipped the heavy cord off the package.