before any of the guests
even thought of home. After the tree had been despoiled of its bloom, an
impromptu show followed in which the young folks performed the stunts
for which they were famous. Then came supper, dancing, and the usual
Virginia Reel, led by Mr. Harlowe and Mrs. Gray, in which Hippy
distinguished himself by a series of quaint and marvelous steps.

"One more good time to add to our dozens of others," said Miriam Nesbit
softly as she kissed Grace good night. "I feel to-night as though I
could say with particular emphasis: 'Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward
Men.'"

"And I feel," said Hippy, who had overheard Miriam's low-toned remark,
"as though I had been unjustly and unkindly treated. I was cheated of
over half my Christmas gifts by those unblushing miscreants known as
David Nesbit, Reddy Brooks and Tom Gray. Nora O'Malley helped them,
too."

"Jessica and Reddy, will you take me home to-night?" asked Nora sweetly,
edging away from the complaining Hippy.

"We shall be only too pleased to be your escort," Reddy answered with
alacrity, casting a sidelong glance of triumph at Hippy.

"And I shall be only too pleased to annihilate Reddy Brooks for daring
to suggest any such thing," retorted Hippy, striding toward the
offending Reddy.

"Come, come, Hippy," laughed Mrs. Harlowe, who enjoyed Hippy's pranks as
much as did his companions, "this is Christmas, you know. Why not let
Reddy live?"

"Very well, I will," agreed Hippy, "but only to please you, Mrs.
Harlowe. Once we leave here, the annihilation process is likely to begin
at the first disrespectful word on the part of a certain crimson-haired
individual whose name I won't mention. It will be a painful process."

"There isn't the slightest doubt about it being painful to you," was
Reddy's grim retort.

"I wonder if I had better wait until after Christmas to do the deed,"
mused Hippy. "There's Reddy's family to consider. Perhaps I had
better--"

"--behave yourself in future and not refer to your friends as
'miscreants' after appropriating their Christmas presents," lectured
David Nesbit.

"All right, I agree to your proposition on one condition," stipulated
Hippy.

"Something to eat, I suppose," said David wearily.

"No; you are a wild guesser as well as a slanderer. If Nora O'Malley
will withdraw the cruel request she just made I will forgive even
Reddy."

And when the little party of young folks started on their homeward way
the forgivi