“Looks like a new suit of clothes for somebody!” chuckled Uncle Silas.
Dick snatched up the coat, and examined it. A small tag bore some writing, and he saw that it was a pretty card decorated with red Christmas flowers, and bearing a few words which he read aloud:
“To Dick, from little Billy, wishing him the happiest Christmas of his whole life!”
“Oh! but ought I take such a thing from them, when Mr. Nocker is the one who will have to pay the bill?” said Dick, wonderingly.
“Why not?” demanded Uncle Silas, promptly. “If he sent you a dozen such presents he could never begin to pay back the debt he owes you. Didn’t you plan the scheme that gave him the treasures he now has in his gloomy old mansion? And only for your bravery and quick action might he not have lost them both in that fire? Don’t you hesitate for a minute, Dick, to accept this little gift.”
“But here’s something more, and for you, Mother!” exclaimed the boy, excitedly.
It proved to be a nice warm fleecy worsted shawl for her shoulders. And a third package turned out to be a delightful smoking jacket for the old veteran, in which he would find great joy and comfort as he sat by the open fire winter days.
All of them were delighted with their gifts. Uncle Silas pretended to be quite disappointed because he too had not been remembered.
“Seems like I’m the only one left out in the cold,” he laughed, merrily. “But then I’m a newcomer here, and haven’t any right to expect much. Perhaps if I hung up my stocking tonight, like we used to do when we were youngsters, Polly, old Santa Claus might take a notion to slip just a little remembrance in the same. Now, just for luck, let’s all do it. It brings back happy days to even speak of such a thing. And for once let’s forget trouble as though we were children again.”
His sister smiled, a little sadly it must be confessed.