The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities. Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten. When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin. Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration. Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room. Mr. Farrington offered his arm to Patty, and escorted her out first, as guest of honour. Mrs. Farrington followed with Kenneth, and then the five Farrington children came out less formally. A burst of applause greeted their first sight of the dinner table. It was indeed a Christmas feast to the eye as well as to the palate. In the centre of the table was a Christmas tree, decorated with tinsel and gay ornaments, and lighted by tiny electric bulbs. At each plate also, was a tiny Christmas tree, whose box-shaped standards bore the names of the diners. "Here's mine!" cried Bobby, as he slid into his chair. "Oh, what a jolly dinner!" On the little place trees hung nuts and bonbons which were to be eaten, "at the pleasure of the performer," as Roger expressed it. The table was also decked with holly and red ribbons, and the various viands, as they were served, were shaped or decorated in keeping with the occasion. The Farrington household was conducted on a most elaborate plan, and their dinners were usually very formal and conventional. But to-night was an exception, and, save for the solemn butler and grave footmen, everybody in the room was bubbling over with laughter and merriment. "I'm not hungry any more," declared Bobby, after he had done full justice to several courses; "let's hurry up, and have the tree." "Wait, Bobs," advised Hester; "we haven't had the ice cream yet." "Oh, that's so," said Bobby; "can't we have it now, mother, and skip these flummerydiddles?" He looked scornfully at the dainty salad that had just been placed before him, but Mrs. Farrington only smiled, not caring to remind him of the laws of table etiquette on a festive occasion. "Have patience, Bobby, dear," she said; "the ice cream will come next; and, too, you know the longer the dinner, the later you can sit up." "That's so!" agreed Bobby. "My, but Christmas Eve is fun! Wish I could sit up late every night." "But it wouldn't be Christmas Eve every night," said Patty, smiling at the chubby-faced boy. "That's so! Neither no more it wouldn't! Well, I wish it was Christmas Eve every night, then!" "That's right," laughed Patty. "Make a good big wish while you're about it." Then the ice cream was served and of course it was in shapes of Christmas trees, and Santa Clauses, and sprigs of holly, and Christmas bells, and Patty's portion was a lovely spray of mistletoe bough.