Bert had his books and other things, and under them was hidden a real bank book, showing that there had been deposited to his credit ten dollars in the Lakeport Savings Bank. Nan had a similar bank book, and of these the twins were very, very proud. Bert felt as if he was truly getting to be quite a business man. "Oh! oh!" cried Nan, as she opened a big box that was at the bottom of her pile of presents, and then the tears of joy stood in her eyes as she brought forth the hoped-for set of furs. They were beautiful, and so soft she could not resist brushing them against her cheek over and over again. "Oh, mamma, I think they are too lovely for anything!" she said, rushing up and kissing her parent. "I am sure no girl ever had such a nice set of furs before!" "You must try to keep them nice, Nan," answered the mother. "I shall take the very best of care of them," said Nan, and my readers may be sure that she did. "And now we have something for you, too," said Bert, and brought out the various articles. Flossie gave their mamma her present, and Freddie gave papa what was coming to him. Then Nan gave Dinah the fancy apron and Bert took Sam the new gloves. "Well this is truly a surprise!" cried Mr. Bobbsey, as he inspected the cravat. "It is just what I need." "And this flower is beautiful," said Mrs. Bobbsey as she smelt of the potted plant. "It will bloom a long while, I am sure." Dinah was tickled over the apron and Sam with his gloves. "Yo' chillun am the sweetest in de world," said the cook. "Dem globes am de werry t'ing I needed to keep ma hands warm," came from Sam. It was fully an hour before the children felt like sitting down to breakfast. Before they began the repast Mr. Bobbsey brought forth the family Bible and read the wonderful story of Christ's birth to them, and asked the blessing. All were almost too excited to eat. After breakfast all must go out and show their presents to their friends and see what the friends had received. It was truly a happy time. Then all went coasting until lunch. "The expressman is coming!" cried Bert a little later, and sure enough he drove up to the Bobbsey house with two boxes. One was from their Uncle Daniel Bobbsey, who lived at Meadow Brook, and the other from their Uncle William Minturn, who lived at Ocean Cliff. "More presents!" cried Nan, and she was right. Uncles and aunts had sent each something; and the twins were made happier than ever. "Oh, but Christmas is just the best day in the whole year," said Bert that evening, after the eventful day was over. "Wish Christmas would come ev'ry week," said Freddie. "Wouldn't it be _beau_tiful?" "If it did I'm afraid the presents wouldn't reach," said Mrs. Bobbsey, and then took him and Flossie off to bed. CHAPTER XV THE CHILDREN'S PARTY The little black kitten that Freddie had brought home from the department store was a great friend to everybody in the Bobbsey house and all loved the little creature very much.