"Christmas--_bah_!" ejaculated the highly indignant 'Liphalet. "Who'd send _me_ anything I didn't pay two prices for, I want to know? Ain't nothin' for me, then?" "You can see all I've got. That barrel for Cap'n Abe. And this here iron box for the Petty place." "By Hannah!" exclaimed the ex-steward with sudden interest, standing on tip-toe to peer into the wagon body. "That box? Who's it for?" "Cap'n Jonah Hand. And b'lieve me," added the expressman, almost in a whisper, "I'm keepin' my eye on that, 'Liphalet. It was give me at the Paulmouth National Bank. There was some talk of sendin' the bank messenger along with me. You know: Phillibeg Aspen. He always carries a loaded pistol. There must be something mighty valu'ble in that box--an' 'tis heavy as lead." "By Hannah!" repeated 'Liphalet, in wonder. "If ye want to know what _I_ think," continued Perry in the same cautious tone, "I b'lieve there's money in that strong box. They say Cap'n Jonah Hand is rich as cream! Like enough he is a-goin' to count his money over to see just how much he's got. What's the matter, 'Liphalet?" "By Hannah!" choked the ex-steward, hiding his face. "I got a cough. I guess I must ha' caught cold after all." "That so? I'll tell Huldy," said Perry briskly. "She makes a lickin' good cough syrup and she'll send ye some. I'd ruther have a cold than not, if I can git plenty of Huldy's cough syrup." The expressman woke up the old gray horse and drove on, leaving 'Liphalet feeling more amused than he had been before in many a long day. Even the brooding banshee of the Christmas spirit lifted from his mind for the moment. "By Hannah!" he murmured, "I reckon Cap'n Abe has cooked up somethin' for Jonah Hand, just as he said he would." The expressman driving up the Petty lane brought all the family save Cap'n Jonah himself to doors and windows. Even Joe Helmford peered out with interest to see the heavy steel box, fastened by two big brass padlocks, lifted down from the wagon. "For Uncle Jonah? I want to know!" murmured Sarah Petty. "Hoh! What's in it? Rocks?" mumbled Tom, who helped Perry Baker handle the box. "Goshamighty! From the bank?" repeated Orrin. "Is he here?" asked Perry importantly. "I've got to deliver it to Cap'n Hand pusson'ly. An' this packet," he added, drawing from his breast pocket an envelope well spotted with black sealing-wax. "He's up in his room," said Orrin eagerly. "Better take it right up to Uncle Jonah, Perry," Sarah observed, her hands and eyebrows both twitching. Her gaze never left the strong box as the men carried it through the kitchen. They stumbled up the crooked back stairs and found Cap'n Jonah ready for them with his door wide open.