“Why, no; of course not,” cried Zoe, with emphasis; “half the fun will be in the surprises when the Peri hands out her gifts. O, captain,” turning hastily to him, “is it to be decided beforehand who is to have what?”
“I think that would be the better plan,” he answered, “and I propose that you and Lulu share that privilege, if privilege you consider it.”
“That I do,” she returned, quite delightedly; “and if you like I’ll help label them, so there need be no mistake in the distribution.”
“Suppose you three attend to that business, in the children’s sitting-room, while the rest of us repair to the library and write the invitations,” suggested Violet; adding “then you can join us and help in the selections for the tableaux.”
“An excellent arrangement, my dear,” said her husband. “Shall we carry out our part of it, Madam Zoe?”
“With all my heart, Sir Captain,” rejoined Zoe, merrily.
“Then I will order our purchases carried up to the appointed place. Gracie, shall I take you up there to oversee us at our work?”
“O, papa, mayn’t I help, too?” asked the little girl, with a very wistful, coaxing look in her sweet blue eyes, as she lifted them to his face.
“Help, darling? What could such a feeble little one as you do?”
“I mean help say whose the things are to be,” she said.