"Did you know Patrick brought over a bundle, Hu?" Theodora whispered. "I saw mamma slying it into the house. 'Twas a big one, too." "Really?" Hubert tried to look as innocent as if Billy had not consulted him about Theodora's Christmas gift. "Yes, I'm so glad now that I hemstitched that handkerchief. It is fairly covered with my gore where I pricked myself; but he won't be critical, I hope." The babel of greeting and chatter was hushed, as Hope took her seat at the piano and the children gathered around her to sing their favorite carol. The last note had scarcely died away when Allyn, at a signal from Hubert, gave a joyous shriek and plunged upon the basket. "One at a time," Hope cautioned him; "and bring the bundle to sister, so she can read the writing on it." The first package chanced to contain his much-desired horsey, and he retired to a corner to embrace it, while Phebe and then Theodora took their turns at drawing. "Draw for me, please," Billy asked Theodora, when his turn came. "Not a bit of it. You must do your part." And she had whisked him across the room and landed him beside the basket, before he could realize her intention. For two hours, the fun was fast and furious. Mulvaney, on the floor in a nest of papers, was wrestling with a vast bone, Mrs. Farrington was admiring a bit of Hope's dainty handiwork, and Hubert was trying hard to realize that at last he was the proud owner of a watch. Everyone was happy, and Hope and Theodora congratulated themselves upon the success of their Christmas frolic. "It's your turn to draw, Billy." And Theodora rolled him across the floor to the fast-emptying basket. "Bah! I can't reach it. Get the one in the corner, Ted. It's a big square one." "Is this it?" "Yes." Billy took it and read the label. _Theodora, with love from Babe._ "Why, Babe dear, you gave me the gloves." Phebe flushed. "It's probably some grind on you, Teddy," Hubert suggested, as his sister tore away the wrappers. Inside was a box, then another. Phebe smiled in conscious satisfaction, while Theodora opened one layer after another of the papers within and at last drew out a long flexible bundle. "Phebe, you dear, it is the new belt I've been wanting," she said. Phebe began to look rather uneasy. "Wait and see," she advised. "It may not be as nice as you think it's going to be." With eager hands, Theodora unrolled the tissue papers, while the others gathered round to see what was inside. Then there came a sudden hush of surprise and consternation. Out from the papers had slipped a long, soft braid of brown hair, and, with a startled sob, Theodora had buried her face in her hands. The next instant, Hubert's hand descended on Phebe's cheek with a ringing blow.