"You see, Chester," Lucilla said, when exhibiting hers to him, "that we are getting more and more for the adornment of our home while we wait for it."
"Adornment which could go on just as well if we were already in it," he returned, with a rather rueful laugh.
"Well, for your consolation please remember that it is near enough to be looked at every day," replied Lucilla, in a sprightly tone. "And see here what your fiancée has prepared for you," drawing a small package from her pocket as she spoke.
"Thanks! Some of her own work, I hope," he said, with a gratified look and smile.
"Yes, I would have you enjoy as much of my work as possible."
He had it opened now, and found it a beaded purse.
"Oh, how handsome!" he cried. "Many, many thanks, dearest! I have no need of a reminder of you, but if I had, this would be one every time I looked at it. Now here is my gift to you," taking in his turn a little package from his pocket and putting it in her hand. It was a miniature of himself—a fine likeness—attached to a beautiful gold chain.
"Oh, it is excellent, and nothing could have pleased me better!" she exclaimed, as she examined it.
Harold had the same sort of gift for Grace, and she had embroidered for him a set of fine linen cambric handkerchiefs, with which he seemed greatly pleased.
Every member of that family, and each of the others in the connection, had prepared some gift of more or less value for each of the others, for their servants and dependents, and for the neighbors poor enough to need assistance from those able to give it.