s illumined the whole family, and they felt
nearer to one another than ever before. The tears actually came into
their mother's eyes, when she realised that they had so nearly missed
this moment of supreme joy.

She felt a little ashamed of her presents, and for once in a way
suspected herself of having been _too_ sensible. "We are not so very
poor after all," she thought. "I might have bought a few toys that would
have delighted the children's hearts, and not have cost much money. But
now it is too late!"

But to her surprise, she did not see her presents at all. For each child
there was a gingerbread cake with his or her name on it, and then the
most lovely surprises--a beautiful doll for Hansi with real eyelashes,
fretwork tools for Paul, a doll's kitchen for Gretel, and so on. For
every one of the family there was some delightful gift.

"Thank you, thank you, dear Heinzelmen," said Hansi, clasping her hands
in ecstasy.

There was a big paper parcel addressed to Mrs Herzchen in a very queer
handwriting. She opened it with much excitement, thinking it would
contain a silk dress, at least. But lo and behold, all the presents that
she had intended for her children, tied together with red tape and a
card between, on which this verse was written:

"Useful things
For little folk
Are sensible,
But not a joke."
_Signed_ HIMSELF!

How the children laughed! and even Mrs Herzchen laughed too, though she
felt silly and a little disappointed. "It is all very well to play
tricks on me," she said. "Just look at the Mueller children next door.
They have plenty of toys and are always sucking sweets; but they never
have comfortable, warm clothes on, and they look half fed."

"Of course, mother, you are right," said the children, "and you were
really joking about the tree. We have never had one _half_ so lovely!"

Mrs Herzchen felt rather embarrassed at this praise. She called her
husband's attention to the things on the tree. "They can't be made of
chocolate," she said, trying to bite off the corner of a fir cone. It
was quite hard. "I do believe they are all solid silver!" she said.

On closer examination, they found a little lion imprinted on each which
proved them without doubt to be of real silver.

"I shall sell them at once, or they may vanish away," she said.

"I should strongly advise you not to do so," her husband replied, and
the children said, "Oh Mother, do let us keep them always, the