"Oh, what a pile of big, big boxes!" exclaimed Elsie. "And there's my name on the top one! Oh, papa, may I open it?"
His only reply was a smile as he threw off the lid and lifted out a very handsome baby astrakhan fur coat.
"Oh! oh!" she cried, "is it for me, papa?"
"If it fits you," he replied. "Let me help you to try it on." He suited the action to the word, while Harold lifted the box and pointing to the next one, said, "This seems to be yours, Gracie. Shall I lift the lid for you?"
"Oh, yes, if you please," she cried. "Oh! oh! one for me too! Oh, how lovely!" as another baby astrakhan fur coat came to light.
He put it about her shoulders while Harold lifted away that box and, pointing to the address on the next, asked Lucilla if he should open that for her.
"Yes, indeed! if you please," she answered, her eyes shining with pleasure.
He did so at once, bringing to light a very handsome sealskin coat.
"Oh, how lovely! how lovely!" she exclaimed, examining it critically.
"Papa, thank you ever so much!"
"You are heartily welcome, daughters, both of you," he said; for Grace too was pouring out her thanks, her lovely blue eyes sparkling with delight.