sir, and mamma are both on the captain's side, I suppose it
won't do for me to reject him. But you say my note isn't a rejection, so
will you please give it to him? And if he isn't satisfied to take it for
no and let me alone on the subject, he may wait a year or two and see
if--if he still feels toward me as he does now, and perhaps--only
perhaps--if he hasn't changed his mind and asks again----"

"You may say yes?" Mr. Dinsmore asked as she broke off in confusion.

"Oh, grandpa, say what you think best! only don't make it too easy for
him," she said, with an arch smile, but blushing deeply.

"I think," said Mr. Dinsmore, "I shall only give him your note without any
additions of my own, and leave him to carry on further negotiations, or
not, as he sees fit."

Capt. Raymond did not take Vi's answer as a decided rejection, and within
twenty-four hours had won from her an acknowledgment that she was not
indifferent to him, and persuaded her to promise him her hand at some
far-off future day. All seemed well contented with the arrangement, and
the week that followed was a very delightful one to the lovers.

In the mean time his Christmas gifts to his children had been received by
them with great joy. Especially did Max and Lulu rejoice over the
opportunity now afforded them to open their hearts to their father and
tell him all their grievances.

He had written to both Mr. Fox and Mrs. Scrimp directing his gifts to be
delivered into the children's own hands without any examination, and never
to be taken from them. Also that they be allowed to spend their Christmas
together.

So Max was permitted to go to Mrs. Scrimp's to spend the day with his
sisters, and was well pleased to do so when he learned that that lady
would not be at home, having accepted an invitation to take her Christmas
dinner elsewhere.

Ann, who was left at home to look after the children, gave them an
excellent dinner, and Max, having found some money in his desk, came
provided with candies.

They compared presents, and spent some time over the books their father
had sent, then Max and Lulu decided that it would be best to write now to
their father, thanking him for his gifts and telling him all they had so
long wanted him to know.

Lulu compressed what she had to say into a few lines--her love, thanks,
longing to see papa, Gracie's feebleness, and her own belief that it was
all because she did not get enough to eat; an acknowledgment that she w