were others still clothed in green,--trees that never cast off their
cloaks, even when winter came,--spruces, cedars, firs, and hemlocks
and pines. They were decorated, too, for on their green branches hung
tufts of snow like the pieces of fur on the carriage robe of the
neighbor's baby.

The Toyman tied the horses to the fence-rail and they all jumped out
of the sleigh. He lifted little Hepzebiah, then started to help
Marmaduke.

"No, thank you," said that little boy, "I don't need any help," and,
all alone, he climbed over the fence after his big brother.

Then on they tramped, through the snow, and under the branches and
around the bushes, looking for that great tree which soon was to have
the place of honor in their house.

"There's one," said Marmaduke.

"No," replied the Toyman, "that won't do. See-it has clumps of needles
like a porcupine's quills. It looks beautiful in the woods, but it
wouldn't look so pretty in the parlor. And that cedar yonder is too
thick to hang the presents and the ornaments on.--Yes, that hemlock is
pretty, and that fir--but I guess we'll stick to the spruce. Let's
find one that's shapely and just the right height."

So they hunted around until he said:

"Now there's a likely young spruce."