aw the table, for the decoration,
though simple, was most effective.

Along the centre of the white cloth, lay a long bed of holly leaves, on
which the word "Welcome" was outlined in holly berries.

There were no other flowers, and the glossy green and vivid scarlet made
a charming centrepiece, surrounded, as it was, by dainty silver, glass,
and china.

"It's good to be here once more," said Nan, as she took her place at the
head of her own table.

"Right you are," said Mr. Fairfield, as he sat opposite her. "Mother
Allen, it was kind of you to arrange this hearty Welcome Home for us."

"It doesn't half express my joy at having you here again," said Mrs.
Allen, as she looked affectionately at her daughter.

Then the conversation turned upon Christmas and Christmas plans.

"I must have Nan with me at Christmas," said Mrs. Allen. "And I shall
count on Fred, also, of course. Patty, dear, I want you, too, if you care
to come; but----"

"Oh, Mrs. Allen," broke in Elise, "divide the family with me, won't you?
If you have Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield, won't you let me take Patty?"

As Elise had hinted this to Mrs. Allen while they were at the steamer
dock waiting for Patty, the good lady was not greatly surprised. And she
knew that Patty would prefer to be in New York with her young friends,
rather than in Philadelphia.

So it was settled that Patty should spend Christmas with Elise, much to
the joy of both girls, and also to the satisfaction of the two boys.

"We'll have a gay old time," said Roger. "We'll have a tree and a dance
and a boar's head,--whatever that thing is,--I never did know."

"I don't know either," confessed Patty; "but we'll find out. For we must
have all the modern improvements."

"I shouldn't call a boar's head a modern improvement," said Mr.
Fairfield, smiling.

"But ours will be," said saucy Patty, "for it will be such an improvement
on the sort they used to have. And we'll have carols and waits----"

"What are waits?" said Elise.

"Why, waits," said Patty, "don't you know what waits are? Why, they're
just _waits_."

"Oh, yes," said Elise, "_now_ I understand _perfectly!_ You explain
things so clearly, Patty!"

"Yes, doesn't she!" agreed Kenneth. "Never mind, Elise, I'll be a wait
and show you."

"Do," said Elise, "I'd much rather see than be one. Just think, Patty,
Christmas is only ten days off! Can you be ready?"

"Oh, yes," said Patty, smiling. "Why, I could get ready for two
Chr