o rang out sweetly in the
harmony.

"What a lovely voice you have, Patty, dear," said Mrs. Farrington, as the
song was done; "it has improved greatly since I heard you last. Are you
taking lessons?"

"I shall, Mrs. Farrington, after we get fairly settled. Father wants me
to begin as soon as he can find the right teacher."

"Yes, indeed; you must do so. It would be a shame not to cultivate such a
talent as that."

"You _have_ improved, Patty!" declared Kenneth. "My! but your voice is
stunning. I expect we'll see you on the concert stage yet."

"More likely on a Fifth Avenue stage," said Patty, laughing.

"Now for the tree!" exclaimed Bobby, who had thrown aside his white robe,
and was ready for the fun to begin.

The tree had been set up in the indoor tennis-court, which was in the
Casino.

This Casino, practically another house, opened from the great hall of the
Farrington mansion, and its various apartments were devoted to different
sorts of amusements.

The tennis court made a fine setting for the Christmas celebration, and
had been carefully prepared for the great event.

The floor was covered with white canton flannel, so arranged over slight
ridges and hummocks that it looked exactly like a field of drifted snow.

The tree, at the end of the room, was the largest that could be obtained,
and was loaded with beautiful ornaments and decorations, and glittering
with electric lights of all colours.

Patty had seen many Christmas trees, but never such a large or splendid
one, and it almost took her breath away.

"I didn't know trees ever grew so big," she said. "How _did_ you get it
into the house?"

"It _was_ difficult," said Mr. Farrington. "I had to engineer the job
myself. But Bobby asked for a big tree, and as the children are growing
up so fast, I wanted to humour him."

As Patty had often said, "for a millionaire, Mr. Farrington was the
kindest man she ever knew."

Though wealthy, he had no desire for display or ostentatious
extravagance, but he loved to please his children, and was sufficiently
rewarded by their enjoyment of the pleasures he provided.

Now, he was as frankly delighted with Bobby's enthusiasm as Bobby was
with his tree.

"Come on, old chappie," he cried; "you shall be Santa Claus, and
distribute the gifts."

Meantime, the older ones were admiring the decorations of the room. Round
the walls were smaller evergreen trees of varying heights, giving the
effect of a clearing i