"Oh, yes, papa, and will we have a Christmas tree? I am not too old for that, am I?"
"No, not at all; and I doubt if you ever will be," returned his father, smoothing his hair and smiling down into his face.
"Oh, Sister Grace, will your dresses be done by that time?" asked Elsie.
"Hardly, I think," smiled Grace; "but it will be another week before we sail away in our Dolphin; and if they are not all finished then they can be sent after us to Viamede."
"I suppose, grandma, you will be wanting us all at Ion for Christmas," said Ned. "Uncle Harold, do you think I will be well enough to go?"
"No, my boy; but we can have a fine Christmas here in your own home," replied his uncle in kindly tones.
"Oh, yes, of course we can. There is no place better than home, anyhow; at least, not if grandma and you, uncle, are here with us."
"Just what I think," said Elsie; "and you will be here, won't you, grandma and uncle?"
"Part of the time," replied Mrs. Travilla; "and I think it likely that most of your other relatives will make a call on you some time during the day."