While he was gone she romped with Susan, running back through the hall into the dining-room with the chirruping child trotting after her, and paused breathless as Jeremiah placed the parcels on the center table. "That is altogether unnecessary; the children have had enough presents," said Mrs. Fosdick. "The children must go at once." "Oh, these are only trifles; just a minute more," Lois flung over her shoulder. She peered into a box, inspected the contents with a moment's quick appraisement, and clasped on Susie's chubby wrist a tiny bracelet. "There, Susan! What do you think of that?" Susan thought well of it beyond question and trotted to her mother to exhibit the treasure. Three pairs of eyes looked upon the trinket coldly. Careless of their scorn Lois was enjoying the mystification of the young Amzis, to whom she held out two boxes and bade them make a choice. She laughed merrily when they opened them and found two silver watches as like as two peas. There was no questioning Lois's complete success with the children. Their fathers responded in grateful praise of the gifts: their Uncle Amzi said "Thunder!" and expressed his delight. "Now, you youngsters run along or I'll get scolded for keeping you. Scoot!" Lois urged them to the door, where Susan presented her face for further osculation. "You shouldn't have done that, Lois; it was altogether unnecessary," announced Mrs. Fosdick. "Oh, those things! they're not of the slightest importance. I didn't know just how many youngsters you had, and the shops over there are simply irresistible." She ladled herself a glass of eggnog composedly, as though wholly unconscious that the withdrawal of the noncombatants had cleared the field for battle. The sisters, having sipped Amzi's Christmas tipple apprehensively, noted that this was Lois's second glass. "Well, what are you all doing with yourselves?" she asked, sinking into a chair. "Kate, I believe I look more like you than either Fanny or Jo. I think you are taller than I am, but we have the same complexion. My face is all chopped up from the sea; it was the worst crossing I ever made, but I only missed one day on deck. The captain is the best of fellows and kept an officer trailing me to see that I didn't tumble overboard." She glanced at Hastings as though he were more likely than the others to respond to observations on sea travel. He declared that he always preferred winter crossings; it was the only way to feel the power and majesty of the sea. "I always feel so," said Lois. Amzi fidgeted about the room, wishing they would all go. "Lois," said Mrs. Waterman, gathering herself together, "you will understand, of course, that we don't mean to be unkind, but we feel that we have a right--that it is only proper and just for us to know why you have come back in this way, without giving us any warning, so that we might prepare ourselves--"