“There will be surprises for everybody,” said Mrs. Merrill, “but I think the biggest one will be for Dora.” When Mother said this Dora almost flew up in the air. On any time but Christmas eve, she could not have borne the suspense. But she would know early in the morning. Mr. Merrill unlocked the door and they all went into the cosy house. And there, on a table near the parlor door, stood a fairy Christmas tree! It was only about eighteen inches high, planted in a flower-pot full of sand. At the top shone a silvery star, and from the star dropped webs that looked as though very large spiders had been spinning silver lace. Through the shimmery mist showed the green branches. The tree had not been there when they went to church! The children stared in surprise and danced about the room. It was not until they had jumped around for a minute or two that they saw Mother was as surprised as anybody. She looked at the lovely tree and then at Father. “I didn’t do it, Molly,” he said smiling. “But you know who did,” said Mrs. Merrill. “Cross my heart, I don’t,” declared Father. How Lucy and Dora laughed to hear him say this. They looked again at the wee tree. Red candies were tied to its branches with silver cord, and white sugar-plums with red string. That was all the fruit it bore. “Now, didn’t you put it there yourself, Mother?” asked Mr. Merrill. “When you went back to light the lamp?” “I didn’t,” said Mrs. Merrill. “It wasn’t there then and I never saw it before, and the house has been locked all the time we were at church.” “It _is_ odd how a Christmas tree could get into a locked house,” agreed Mr. Merrill. “Had we better report it to the police?” “I wouldn’t go so far as that,” said Mrs. Merrill. “Here’s Dan. He may know.” “I was at church,” protested Dan. “Didn’t you see me singing in the choir in a very fancy rig?” “Uncle Dan,” said Dora, “did you ever _see_ that tree before?” “How can I tell?” said Dan. “There have been several hundred Christmas trees in the square this past week. I don’t know one from another.” Dora held him firmly. “Did you put that tree in here?” she asked. “I did not,” said Dan. “Did you unlock the door so somebody could bring it in?” Lucy asked. “I did not,” said Dan. The children looked at each other. Then Dora had a bright idea. “Uncle Dan,” she demanded, “did you _lend_ your key to somebody while you went to church?” “I have answered three questions and that is enough!” said Dan. And he never did answer that one. All the family hung up their stockings. Lucy and Dora put theirs on the brass knobs either side of the open stove. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill fastened theirs to the ends of the sofa. Uncle Dan went out again, but Dora hung his sock to the back of Mother’s rocking-chair. She and Lucy took one last look at the fairy tree and went to bed.