t isn't Christmas."

"Oh, yes; these are for their Tree, you know."

"Well, Clem, if I should have some money left me unexpectedly, is it too
late to buy some toys for the Tree?"

"I don't know," said Clementine, "but we can ask mother. She'll know."

They found Mrs. Morse in her sitting-room, tying up parcels and
addressing them.

Patty soon discovered that these were all charitable gifts, and not
presents to Mrs. Morse's own friends.

"I'm so glad I came here to-day," she said, after the welcoming greetings
were over, "for it has roused my charitable instincts. I am quite sure,
Mrs. Morse, I can send some toys for your society's tree, if you want
them."

"Want them? Indeed we do! Why, Patty, there are forty little boys who
want drums or trumpets and we can only give them candy and an orange.
It's harder than you'd think to get subscriptions to our funds at
Christmas time, and though we've dolls enough, we do so want toys for the
boys."

"Well, I'll send you some, Mrs. Morse. I'll send them to-morrow. Do you
care what they are?"

"No, indeed. Drums, or balls, or tin carts,--anything that a boy-child
can play with."

"Well, you may depend on me for the forty," said Patty, smiling, for she
had formed a sudden, secret resolve.

"Why, Patty, dear, how kind of you! I am so glad, for those children were
on my mind, and I've already asked every one I know to give to our fund.
You are a generous little girl, and I know it will gladden your own heart
as well as the children's."

Patty ran away, and all the way home her heart was full of her project.

"If he will only consent," she thought. "If not, I don't know how I shall
keep my promise. Oh, well, I know I can coax him to say yes."

After dinner that evening, Patty put her plan into action.

"Father Fairfield," she said, "what are you going to give me for a
Christmas gift?"

"Well, Pattykins, that's not considered a correct question in polite
society."

"Then let's be impolite, just for this once. Do tell me, daddy."

"You embarrass me exceedingly, young lady," said Mr. Fairfield, smiling
at her, "for, to tell you the truth, I haven't bought you anything."

"Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed Patty, "for, father, I want to ask you a
great favour. Won't you give me the money instead, and let me spend it as
I like?"

"That would be a funny Christmas gift. I thought you liked some pretty
trinket, tied up in holly paper and red ribbons and Santa Claus seals,
a