can't see much till it gets lighter."

"Yes, let's," said Grace; "I couldn't bear to wait."

They thought they were keeping very quiet, but Lu's "Oh!" had wakened
her father and Violet and they were lying quietly listening and laughing
softly to themselves.

There was a rustle of paper, then Gracie's voice in a loud whisper, "Oh
another dolly for me! and I just know it's lovely! I can feel its hair,
and its dress; it's all dressed!"

Then Lulu's, "A potato! just a horrid, raw Irish potato! What do I want
with that?"

"And I've got one too!" from Grace. "Oh well, I s'pose that was to fill
up, and maybe there's something nice lower down."

"A sweet potato or a parsnip or something of that kind in mine," said
Lulu, some slight vexation in her tone. "Oh well, I've had so many nice
things, and this is only for fun."

"And here are some candies in mine," said Grace. "Haven't you got some?"

"Yes, oh yes! and nuts and raisins. I'd like to taste them; but I think
we'd better leave them till after breakfast. I'm pretty sure papa would
say so."

"Yes, 'course he would; so we'll wait."

"Good obedient children; aren't they?" the captain said in a gratified
whisper to Violet.

"Very; I'm proud of them," she responded.

It was growing light and Lulu, taking up the despised potato, examined
it more critically. Presently she uttered an exclamation,

"O Gracie, see! It opens and there's something inside!"

The captain and Violet listened intently for what might come next.

"More candies and--something wrapped up in soft paper. O Gracie! it's a
lovely little breastpin!"

"Oh, oh, how pretty!" cried Grace. "I wonder if I have one too!" In
their excitement they were forgetting the danger of disturbing others
and talking quite loud.

"Yes, mine opens," Grace went on, "and--oh yes, I've got candies and
something with paper round it and--oh yes, yes, it is a pin! Not quite
like yours, but just every bit as pretty!"

"I think they are having a merry Christmas," said the captain, a happy
light in his eyes, "and, my love, I wish you the same."

Violet returned the wish; but the children were talking again and they
kept quiet to hearken.

"Oh this sweet potato opens too," Lulu was saying, "and there's
something that feels like a stick. O Gracie, Gracie, look! it's a gold
pencil, a lovely little gold pencil! Have you one?"

"No; but you haven't a doll."

"Well, I think Santa Claus has been very generous and kind to u