, and Lulu, understanding it to mean that
there was some disappointment, concluded that the pearls had not been
given.

She was the more convinced of it when the presents on and about the tree
had been displayed and no pearls among them.

Rosie seemed in excellent spirits, however, and Lulu thought she had
good reason to be, for the gifts she showed as hers were many and
desirable.

The guests, all relatives or connections, arrived within a few minutes
of each other and for a little while were all gathered together in the
tree room--as the children called it for the time--and a very merry,
lively set they were.

But presently they scattered to their respective rooms to dress for
dinner, or at least to remove their outside garments.

The Raymonds were given the same apartments that had been appropriated
to them when living at Ion; Gracie sharing Lulu's room, which
communicated directly with the one where the captain and Violet would
sleep.

Rosie went with the little girls to their room, to see that they had
everything to make them comfortable, because, as she said, they were her
guests this time.

"You don't need to change your dresses, I am sure," she remarked as they
threw off their coats.

"No," replied Lulu, "these are what papa told us to wear for the rest of
the day, and they are as suitable and pretty as any we have."

"Yes, they're lovely," said Rosie; "your papa does dress you
beautifully. I, too, am dressed for the day, and I'd like you both to
come to my room for a while. Eva is there taking off her things; she's
to share my room while the house is so full. I thought you would want
Eva for your bedfellow, but mamma said your father would want his two
little girls close beside him."

"Yes, and that's where we like to be," Lulu answered quickly and in a
very pleasant tone. "It seems like home here in this room, too. Now
we're ready to go with you, Rosie; we've got our things off and seen
that our hair is all right."

Rosie led the way to her room where they found, not Eva only, but all
the little girl cousins, having a chat while waiting for the summons to
dinner.

Rosie hastily threw off her coat and hat, then opening a bureau drawer,
took from it a jewel case saying with a look of exultation, "I have
something to show you, girls, mamma's Christmas gift to me;" and raising
the lid she displayed a beautiful pearl necklace and bracelets.

"So she did give them to you!" they exclaimed in surpris