Max heard them, and threw open the parlor-door just as they reached it.

Then what a surprise for the little girls! A large, handsome
Christmas-tree, loaded with beautiful things, burst upon their
astonished sight, and was greeted by them with exclamations of wonder
and delight.

"Oh! oh! oh! it's the very prettiest Christmas-tree we ever saw! And we
didn't know we were to have any at all! And how many, _many_ lovely
things are on it! Papa, papa, how good and kind you are to us!"

He looked as if he enjoyed their surprise and delight quite as much as
they did the tree.

"Other folks have been kind to you, too, my darlings," he said, seating
himself, with Gracie still in his arms, "as you will see presently, when
the gifts are distributed."

"Who, papa?" asked Gracie, laying her head on his shoulder, and gazing
with delighted eyes, beginning to single out one beautiful object from
another as she sent her glances up and down, here and there.

"Grandma Elsie, and everybody else in the Ion family, I believe; the
Oaks and Laurels and Fairview friends; and Roselands people too; to say
nothing of mamma and Maxie."

"They're ever so good and kind! they always are," she said in grateful
tones. "Oh!" for the first time perceiving that Violet stood near her
with the baby in her arms, "mamma and baby too! and how pleased baby
looks at the tree!" for the little one was stretching her arms toward