"Yes," said the younger children, who made a rush for their gifts and laid them on chairs before him.
"Grand old chap!" said he, staring thoughtfully at the flannel cat in his hands. "Any idea who it is?"
"Can't make out," said Mrs. Vaughn; "very singular man."
"Generous, too," the teacher added. "That's the best cat I ever saw, Tom. If I had my way, the cats would all be made of flannel. Miss Polly, what did you get?"
"This," said Polly, handing him the locket.
"Beautiful!" said he, turning it in his hand. "Anything inside?"
Polly showed him how to open it. He sat a moment or more looking at the graven gold.
"Strange!" said he, presently, surveying the wrought cases,
Mrs. Vaughn was now at his elbow.
"Strange?" she inquired.