-I--didn't believe anybody COULD have such a nice Christmas. I never
saw so many nice things."

"Humph! What do you like best?"

The answer was a question, and was characteristic.

"Which did you give me?" asked Bos'n.

The captain would have dodged, but she wouldn't let him. So one by one
the presents he had given were indicated and put by themselves. The
remainder were but few, but she insisted that the givers of these should
be named. When the sorting was over she sat silently hugging her doll
and, apparently, thinking.

"Well?" inquired the amused captain. "Made up your mind yet? Which do
you like best?"

The child nodded.

"Why, these, of course," she declared with emphasis, pointing with her
dollie's slippered foot at Captain Cy's pile.

"So? Do, hey? Didn't know I could pick so well. All right; the first
prize is mine. Who takes the second?"

This time Bos'n deliberated before answering. At last, however, she bent
forward and touched the teacher's gifts.

"These," she said. "I like these next best."

Captain Cy was surprised.

"Sho!" he exclaimed. "You don't say!"

"Yes. I think I like teacher next to you. I like Georgianna and Mr.
Tidditt and Mr. Bangs, of course, but I like her a little better. Don't
you, uncle Cyrus?"

The captain changed the subject. He asked her what she should name her
doll.

The Board of Strategy came in during the forenoon, and the presents had
to be shown to them. While the exhibition was in progress Miss Dawes
called. And before she left Gabe Lumley drove up in the depot wagon
bearing a big express package addressed to "Miss Emily Thomas, Bayport."

"Humph!" exclaimed Captain Cy. "Somethin' more for Bos'n, hey! Who in
the world sent it, do you s'pose?"

Asaph and Bailey made various inane suggestions as to the sender. Phoebe
said nothing. There was a frown on her face as she watched the captain
get to work on the box with chisel and hammer. It contained a beautiful
doll, fully and expensively dressed, and pinned to the dress was a
card--"To dear little Emmie, from her lonesome Papa."

The Board of Strategy looked at the doll in wonder and astonishment.
Captain Cy strode away to the window.

"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Bangs. "I didn't believe he had that much heart
inside of him. I bet you that cost four or five dollars; ain't that so,
Cy?"

The captain did not answer.

"Don't you think so, teacher?" repeated Bailey, turning to Phoebe. "What
ails you? You don't se