Supper was served on small tables decorated in holly and red candles, and when this was over the children danced and played around the tree, while the older people strolled about the house or sat and talked.
“Have you had a good time Caro?” asked Walter, catching her hand as she danced by.
“Indeed I have,” was her answer, “and I’m so much obliged for everything, especially Trolley’s collar.”
“I hope he will like it. I owe a great deal to Trolley.”
“Why do you?” she asked.
“I doubt if you ever would have come to see me if he had not put it into your head.”
“And then we shouldn’t have had the party, should we? Here comes grandpa,” she added. “Have you had a good time grandpa?”
“This has been a happy Christmas, Walter,” the president said sitting down beside him.
“It has been to me. And I had not expected to have another happy one,” Walter replied.
“What did Santa Claus bring you, grandpa?” Caro asked.