"Isn't it about time the mailman was along?" the mother asked that evening, after the chores had been done, and the children were sitting quietly in the room for fear of waking the stranger who had fallen asleep upon the sofa.
"I believe I hear his bells now!" Stephen cried, as he rushed to the door. Presently he came running back, his face aglow with excitement. "A bundle, Mother!" he shouted. "A big bundle! Come and help me."
The confusion thus made awakened Sinclair, who opened his eyes just in time to see a good-sized bundle carried into the room, securely bound with stout cords.
"There must be some mistake," exclaimed the surprised woman to the mailman who had entered.
"No, mum," he replied. "It's yours all right. I found it at the shore where a freightin' team left it. I don't generally carry such things. But says I to myself, 'That's fer Widder Bean, and she's goin' to have it to-night if Tim Harking knows anything.' So thar 'tis. I must be off now. A merry Christmas to ye all," and with that the big-hearted man hurried away.
"Dear me!" cried Mrs. Bean. "What can it be, and who could have sent it?"
"Let's open it, mother," Steve suggested. "Mebbe we'll find out then."
Together they all set to work, and after much tugging and labour the knots were loosened and the bundle fell apart.
Then what a sight met their eyes. Clothes of various sizes and quality were neatly piled together; complete suits for the boys; dresses for Betty and Dora, and another for their mother, besides a good supply of underwear for the whole family.
"Well, bless my heart!" Mrs. Bean exclaimed. "Who in the world has done this? There must be some mis——"