the evening pass very quickly and delightfully.

"We were going to hang up our stockings," Grace remarked as the good
nights were being said, "but we've had so many nice things already that
it does seem as if we oughtn't to do it."

"Oh yes, hang them up," said her father laughingly. "Santa Claus won't
feel obliged to put anything into them."

"And perhaps if he doesn't find them hanging up he may feel hurt at your
low opinion of his generosity," laughed Violet.

"Oh I wouldn't like to hurt his feelings, 'cause I'm sure he must be a
very nice old fellow," returned the little girl with an arch look and
smile. "So I'll hang mine up."

"And I mine," said Lulu, twining her arms about her father's neck and
looking up lovingly into his face, "for I know he's nice, and generous,
and good as gold, though he isn't old or the sort of person to be called
a fellow."

"Indeed! one might infer that you were quite well acquainted with him,"
laughed the captain, giving her a hug and kiss. "Yes, hang it up. And,
Max, if you don't feel it beneath the dignity of a lad of your size,
there will be no harm in your trying the same experiment."

"I'm ashamed to think of it, sir, only because I've already had so
much," said Max.

"But you are always safe in following your father's advice," remarked