So the front door opened and closed, and Hugh came back.
"What did he want?" asked Alice.
"To go for a walk."
"On Christmas-day? How funny."
"Not funny that I know of."
"Did you ask him to?" said Minnie.
"Yes—no—at least he said something about it when I met him yesterday."
"I should have said I couldn't," said Alice decidedly; "but never mind now, Hugh, let's open our things."
They gathered round the table, and soon had forgotten all about Tom in their interest in the presents their mother and father had prepared for them.
A beautiful work-basket for Agnes; a book for John; a new paint-box for Hugh; a desk, fitted-up, for Alice; and a long-shaped box for Minnie, on which was written, "Care—great care—little Minnie."