Hildegarde’s hand was on her mouth before the word was pronounced. The little boys clapped their hands, Hamilton laughed, and Mr. Rosenberg said he was sure that his wife and Crescenz would prove themselves the most charitable by their contributions. The next morning Hamilton spent in choosing his presents; he was for some time exceedingly puzzled, and wavered long between books and bronze, glass and gold; at length he recollected having heard Hildegarde once say that she wished for nothing in this world so much as a little watch, but that she feared she never would be in possession of one. This decided at once his doubts, and as the others interested him less, he had soon completed his purchases with a large box of toys for the children. On his return, he found Fritz at home for the holidays; he was sitting at the drawing-room window with his brothers, all three yawning and looking most melancholy. “What o’clock is it?” was the exclamation as he entered. “Four o’clock,” said Hamilton; “but why do you look so sorrowful?” “Two whole hours to wait,” sighed Fritz. “Two long hours,” yawned Gustle. “Two hours before the angel comes to light the candles and ring the bell,” said Peppy. “Pshaw, mamma might light the candles at five o’clock; it will be dark enough, I am sure,” said Fritz, in a whisper to Hamilton. “Where are your sisters?” “They are with mamma, hanging the _bon-bons_ and fastening the wax tapers on the trees, I suppose; but when the presents are being brought in they will be sent off too, though Crescenz thinks herself old enough to light the candles and do everything.” “In what room are they?” “In the school-room, but you need not expect to get in; both doors are locked.” “What do you think the little child Jesus will send you?” asked Peppy, approaching Hamilton confidentially. “Did you, too, put a list under your pillow, like Gustle? Next year, if I can write, I shall ask for so many things. Trumpets, and drums, and harlequins. What do you think you will get?” “_Bon-bons_, probably.” “And something else, too,” said Gustle, nodding his head. “You promised not to tell,” cried Fritz, threateningly approaching his brother. “Don’t you think,” cried Gustle, boldly, “that because you wear a uniform, I’m afraid of you. I’ll tell what I like——” Fritz caught him by the collar, Gustle threw off his arm, and a considerable scuffle ensued. “Hildegarde has not finished the travelling-bag,” shouted Gustle, angrily, “and papa says it is just as well, as it was not a civil sort of present.” At this moment Hildegarde and Crescenz entered the room. “Turned out! turned out!” cried Fritz and Gustle, unanimously joining in the attack on their sisters. Hildegarde smiled, Crescenz grew red, and observed that everything was ready; there was nothing more to be done. “Turned out all the same,” said Fritz, “though you are nearly sixteen, and going to be married. Ha! ha! ha!”