Mr. Fairfield's gift to his wife was a beautiful motor-car, and as they were going away for the holiday, he presented it to her the day before Christmas. It was practically a gift to Patty as well, for the whole family could enjoy it. "It's perfectly lovely," said Nan, as they all started out for a little spin, to try it. "I've had so much trouble of late with taxicabs, that it's a genuine comfort to have my own car at my beck and call. It's a lovely car, Fred, and Patty and I shall just about live in it." "I want you to enjoy it," returned Mr. Fairfield, "and you may have every confidence in the chauffeur. He's most highly recommended by a man I know well, and he's both careful and skilful." "A nice-mannered man, too," observed Patty. "I like his looks, and his mode of address. But if this car is partly my present, then I ought not to have had that gold money to buy drums with." "Oh, yes, you ought," said her father. "That was your individual gift. In this car you and Nan are partners. By the way, Puss, did you ever get your forty drums? I didn't hear about them." "You're lucky that you didn't hear them," laughed Patty. "Yes, I did get them,--not all drums, some other toys,--and I took them down to the Sunshine place yesterday. I went with Mrs. Morse and Clementine. You know the kiddywids had their Christmas tree, the little poor children, and such a noise you never heard! They yelled and shouted for glee, and they banged drums and tooted horns, and then they sang songs, and I think I never knew such a noisy celebration, even on the fourth of July." "And were they glad to get your gifts?" "Oh, yes, indeed! Why, just think, father, the little girls all had dolls, but if I hadn't taken the gifts for the boys, they would only have had candy or an orange. Next Christmas I'm going to do more for them." "I'm glad to see your charitable spirit waking up, Patty-girl. I don't want you to be a mere social butterfly. But, you know, you needn't wait for Christmas to make the poor babies happy." "No; I know it, daddy, dear; and after Christmas is over, I'm going to try to do some good in the world." "Now, Patty," said Nan, "don't you go in for settlement work, and that sort of thing. I won't let you. You're not strong enough for it." "I don't know exactly what settlement work is," said Patty, "but I do know I'm not going to be a mere butterfly. I'm going to accomplish something worth while." "Well, wait till the holiday season is over," advised Mr. Fairfield. "You've made forty boys happy, now turn your attention to making your family and friends happy. What are you going to give your poor old father for a Christmas gift, I should like to know." "I haven't any such relative as you describe," returned Patty, smiling at him affectionately. "I have a young and handsome father, and I think he seems to be rather a rich gentleman. Also I have a gift awaiting him at home, and I think we'd better be going there."