Mrs. Peterkin supposed it contained some of Elizabeth Eliza's purchases, so she ordered it to be pushed into the back parlor, and hastily called back her guests and the little boys into the other room. The little boys and the small cousins were sure they had seen Santa Claus himself. Mr. Peterkin lighted the gas. The box was addressed to Elizabeth Eliza. It was from the lady from Philadelphia! She had gathered a hint from Elizabeth Eliza's letters that there was to be a Christmas-tree, and had filled this box with all that would be needed. It was opened directly. There was every kind of gilt hanging-thing, from gilt pea-pods to butterflies on springs. There were shining flags and lanterns, and bird-cages, and nests with birds sitting on them, baskets of fruit, gilt apples and bunches of grapes, and, at the bottom of the whole, a large box of candles and a box of Philadelphia bonbons! Elizabeth Eliza and Solomon John could scarcely keep from screaming. The little boys and the small cousins knocked on the folding-doors to ask what was the matter. [Illustration] Hastily Mr. Peterkin and the rest took out the things and hung them on the tree, and put on the candles. When all was done, it looked so well that Mr. Peterkin exclaimed:-- "Let us light the candles now, and send to invite all the neighbors to-night, and have the tree on Christmas Eve!" And so it was that the Peterkins had their Christmas-tree the day before, and on Christmas night could go and visit their neighbors. MRS. PETERKIN'S TEA-PARTY. Twas important to have a tea-party, as they had all been invited by everybody,--the Bromwicks, the Tremletts, and the Gibbonses. It would be such a good chance to pay off some of their old debts, now that the lady from Philadelphia was back again, and her two daughters, who would be sure to make it all go off well. But as soon as they began to make out the list they saw there were too many to have at once, for there were but twelve cups and saucers in the best set. "There are seven of _us_, to begin with," said Mr. Peterkin. "We need not all drink tea," said Mrs. Peterkin. "I never do," said Solomon John. The little boys never did. "And we could have coffee, too," suggested Elizabeth Eliza. "That would take as many cups," objected Agamemnon. "We could use the every-day set for the coffee," answered Elizabeth Eliza; "they are the right shape. Besides," she went on, "they would not all come. Mr. and Mrs. Bromwick, for instance; they never go out." "There are but six cups in the every-day set," said Mrs. Peterkin. [Illustration] The little boys said there were plenty of saucers; and Mr. Peterkin agreed with Elizabeth Eliza that all would not come. Old Mr. Jeffers never went out.