The present proved to be a pound of animal crackers, of which
Brother was very fond, and Sister was telling him how she had
carefully picked out as many horses and elephants as she could--for
indulgent Grandma Hastings had bought several pounds of the
crackers, and allowed Sister to select the two kinds of animals
that were Brother's favorites--when they heard Ralph's quick step
in the hall.

"Here comes Ralph! Don't look!" commanded Brother hastily.

Sister promptly dived under the bedclothes, and when Ralph softly
opened the door--lest the children were still asleep--he saw Brother
staring eagerly toward him and a little lump in the middle of
Sister's bed.

"Well, young man, how does it feel to be six years old?" Ralph
asked merrily, putting down the basket he carried on the floor,
and coming over to Brother, who stood up to hug him.

"Just as nice," gurgled Brother, standing still to receive the six
"spanks" without which no birthday could be properly celebrated.

"Can I look yet?" asked a muffled voice meekly.

"Why, sweetheart, what have they done to you?" demanded Ralph in
amazement, uncovering a very warm and flushed little girl. "I
thought you were asleep, honey. Don't you feel well?"

"Oh, I feel all right," Sister assured him cheerfully. "Only I