But on reaching the hall, instead of going into the library they turned
toward the parlor on the other side of it, in which, as the children
well remembered, last year's Christmas tree had been set up.

The captain threw open the door, and then stood a larger and finer tree
blazing with lights from many tapers and colored lamps, and loaded with
beautiful things.

"Oh! oh! what a beauty! what a splendid tree!" cried the children,
dancing about and clapping their hands in delight. "And we didn't know
we were to have any at all. Mamma Vi you must have had it set up, and
trimmed it while we were gone this morning. Didn't you? Oh thank you
ever so much!"

"Your father provided it, and your thanks are due to him far more than
to me," Violet replied, with a smiling-glance in his direction.

At that they crowded about him, Max putting a hand affectionately into
his and thanking him with hearty words of appreciation, while the little
girls hugged and kissed him to his heart's content.

The servants had gathered about the door, little Elsie's mammy among
them, with her nursling in her arms.

"Oh pretty, pretty!" shouted the little one, clapping her hands in an
ecstacy of delight. "Let Elsie down, mammy."

"Come to papa," the captain said, and taking her in his arms carried
her to the tree and all around it, pointing out the pretty things.