That did not take long, and they were soon at the door of Mr. Keith’s hospitable dwelling, exchanging a merry Christmas with the ladies and little Mary, displaying the toys sent by their relatives in Philadelphia, and offering a share of their sweets from the same source.
Then they were led into the parlor where was a beautiful Christmas tree loaded with ornaments and gifts.
“Oh,” cried Ethel, tears starting to her eyes as she spoke, “how it reminds me of Christmas times when our dear papa and mamma were with us!”
“Yes, I remember the one we had last Christmas,” said Blanche; “and I think this one is just as pretty as it was.”
“So do I,” said Harry. “Oh, thank you, ma’am!” as Mrs. Keith took down a bag of marbles and another of candy and handed them to him.
“And this is for dear little Nannette,” she said, disengaging a doll from the tree and putting it into the hands of the baby girl, who received it in almost speechless delight.
There was another almost exactly like it for her own little Mary, a larger one for Blanche, a neat housewife and pretty book for Ethel, and a bag of candies for each of the five; for little Mary had waited for hers until the coming of her guests.
What a happy day it was to the children! The grown people seemed to lay themselves out for their enjoyment; games and stories filled most of the time not taken up with the partaking of the grand Christmas dinner of turkey and all the usual accompaniments for the first course—plum pudding, ice-cream, fruits, and cake for the dessert.
The Eldons were sent for by Mrs. Coote at their usual early bedtime, and obeyed the summons without a murmur.
“Dear Mrs. Keith, you and Mrs. Weston are so good and kind to us; we’ve had such a pleasant time,” Ethel said as she bade good-night.