"Well, I think Santa Claus has been very generous and kind to us."

"Just as good and kind as if he was our own papa," Gracie said, with a
sweet silvery laugh.

"The dear, grateful darlings!" exclaimed the captain, his tone half
tremulous with feeling. "I sometimes fear I am almost too indulgent; but
it is such a dear delight to give them pleasure."

"And I don't believe it does them the least harm, so long as you do not
indulge them in any wrong doing," said Violet. "Love never hurts
anybody."

"Merry Christmas, my darlings," he called to them. "Did Santa Claus fill
your stockings?"

"Oh merry, merry Christmas, papa!" they answered. "Yes, sir, Santa
Claus or somebody did, and gave us lovely things. We're very much
obliged to him."

As they spoke the door into their little sitting-room opened and Max put
in his head, crying in his turn, "Merry Christmas to you all--papa and
Mamma Vi, Lulu and Gracie."

A chorus of merry Christmases answered him; then Lulu asked, "What did
Santa Claus put in your stocking, Maxie?"

"A good deal: about as much as could be crammed into it; some handsome
neckties, candies and nuts and a gold pencil."