cupboard with glass doors showed sets of
toy china dishes, and all the accessories for dinner and tea table;
there were also a bureau, wash-stand, and table corresponding in size
with the rest of the furniture; and the captain, pulling open the
drawers of the first named, showed them well stocked with material of
various kinds, suitable for making into new garments for the dolls, and
with all the necessary implements,--needles, thread, thimbles, scissors,
etc.

The two little girls were almost breathless with astonishment and
delight.

"Papa!" cried Gracie, "you haven't left one single thing for Santa Claus
to bring us on Christmas!"

"Haven't I?" he returned, laughing, and pinching her round, rosy cheek.
"Ah, well wouldn't you as soon have them as presents from your own
papa?"

"Oh, yes, papa! I know he's just pretend, and it would be you or some of
the folks that love me," she said, laying her cheek against his hand;
"but I like to pretend it, 'cause it's such fun."

"There are a good many weeks yet to Christmas-time," remarked Lulu; "and
perhaps our Santa Claus folks will think up something else for you,
Gracie."

"Perhaps they may," said the captain, "if she is good: good children are
not apt to be forgotten or neglected, and I hope mine are all going to
be such."

"I'm quite sure we all intend to try hard, papa," Max said, "not hoping
to gain more presents by it, but because you've been so good to us
already."

"Indeed we do!" added his sisters.

CHAPTER XXI.

"Then all was jollity, Feasting and mirth, light wantonness and
laughter."

"It seems nice and warm here," remarked Lulu; "but," glancing about, "I
don't see any fire."

Her father pointed to a register. "There is a cellar underneath, and a
furnace in it," he said. "I thought that the safest way to heat these
rooms for the use of very little people. I do not want to expose you to
any danger of setting yourselves on fire."

"It's getting a little dark," remarked Grace.

"Yes," he said. "We will go in now. It is time for you to be dressed for
the evening."

"Papa, who is to tell us what to wear,--you, or mamma Vi?" asked Lulu,
as they pursued their way back to the house.

"You may wear your cream-colored cashmere with the cherry trimmings;
Gracie, hers with the blue," he replied.

"That's just what I wanted you to say, papa! I like those dresses,"
remarked Lulu with satisfaction.

"That is well: and Gracie, of course, is plea