There was no lingering over the dinner table, though the meal was a good one, and the children's appetites had been sufficiently keen until they saw the box. They ate and drank with dispatch, taking time for but little talk beyond a few conjectures as to its probable contents. Father and mother certainly shared their curiosity and eagerness to some extent, and did not keep them waiting long. A few minutes' work with the hatchet and the lid was off. "Just newspapers!" cried Don, in a tone of bitter disappointment. "Wait a bit, laddie," laughed Rupert. "Something else under, I guess," said Cyril, while father, mother and Mildred made haste to lift and lay aside the papers for further perusal, for newspapers were too rare in those days to be despised, even though some weeks old. "Books! oh delightful!" "How good and kind in her!" "Now we'll have a feast!" exclaimed one and another in varying tones of gladness. "What are they? let us see," said Mr. Keith proceeding to lift them out one or two at a time, and with a glance at the titles on the backs, handing them to wife, son or daughter. "Cooper's Naval History of the United States! There, that will particularly interest you, Rupert. "And here are his novels, which mother and Mildred will enjoy. Scott's works also: those for older folks and his 'Tales of a Grandfather' for the children. Two more little books--'Anna Ross,' and 'Ruth Lee.'" "Oh, they look pretty!" cried Zillah and Ada, peeping into these last. "'Dunallan' for me! oh how glad I am!" exclaimed Mildred the next instant. "Here's a bundle," said Mr. Keith, handing it out. "Remnants, I presume," his wife said laughingly, and opening it found her surmise correct. Groceries, candies and toys for the children, and some few other miscellaneous articles filled up the rest of this most welcome box. "Dear old auntie! She shouldn't have wasted so much of her money on us," Mrs. Keith said with tears in her eyes, as she glanced over a note pinned to a dress pattern for herself. "But she says she has enjoyed it intensely, and I know that is so; for giving, especially to us, is her greatest delight." "Yes, there never was a more generous soul," assented her husband. "Ah, if we could only do something for her in return!" exclaimed Mildred. "Yes, indeed! what a feast she has provided us!" cried Rupert, taking a peep here and there into the history. "Mother, can't we begin on them this afternoon?" "I'm not ready for Mr. Lord," objected Mildred, "and in an hour it will be time to go to him." That reminded the lad that he, too, had a lesson to prepare, and he left the room to attend to it. "Wife," said Mr. Keith, "do you know that little Mary Chetwood is seriously ill?" "No, I did not, I'll put on my bonnet and go over there at once."