That was a great breakfast, and it took ever so long to eat it, but it was hardly over before grandmother followed grandfather into the hall, and they heard her say,
"Now, husband, what are you wrapping up so for, just to go to the barn?"
"Barn? Why, my dear, I'm going to town. I told Pat to have the team ready."
"To town? Why, husband—"
"Mother, there'll be stores open to-day. I can buy cords of toys and candy and things. When I get to the Orphan Asylum, to tell 'em what has become of Bijah, and why he won't ever come back there again, I'm going to have enough to go around among the rest of 'em—I am, if it takes the price of a cow."
"Give 'em something for me."
Uncle Hiram heard it, and he shouted, "And for me," and Uncle John followed, and all the rest, till the children caught it up, and there was a contribution made by every stocking which had hung on that Christmas tree. They all gave just as fast as they understood what it was for, and the last one to fully understand was Bijah.
"You ain't going to take me?"
His lip quivered a little.
"No, Bijah, not unless you want to go. Wouldn't you rather stay here?"