many and what they were?"

"Beside the Roselands little people," replied his mother, "there were
Lucy and Herbert Carrington, Carrie Howard, Isabel Carleton, Mary
Leslie, and Flora Arnott to be remembered.

"For the last named, who was also the youngest, I selected a beautiful
wax doll and a complete wardrobe of ready made clothes for it, all
neatly packed in a tiny trunk.

"To Mary Leslie I gave a ring, and to each of the other girls a handsome
bracelet; to Herbert, who was a great reader, a set of handsomely bound
books.

"All these little friends of mine were spending the Christmas holidays
at Pinegrove--the home of the Howards.

"Papa and I had been invited too, but had declined because of my feeble
state. When my gifts were ready I asked him if they should be sent to
Pinegrove.

"'We will see about it,' he answered; 'we have plenty of time; there are
two days yet, and it will not take a messenger half an hour to travel
from here to Pinegrove.'

"So I said no more, for I never was allowed to tease.

"But when New Year's morning came and the presents had not been sent, I
began to feel decidedly uneasy, and papa evidently perceived it; though
neither of us said a word on the subject that was uppermost in my mind.

"Papa had some beautiful books and pictures for me which he gave me
before breakfast, saying he hoped they would help me pass the day
pleasantly; he would be glad to make it the happiest New Year I had
known yet.

"He smiled tenderly upon me as he said it, then held me close in his
arms and kissed me over and over again; and I returned his kisses,
putting my arms about his neck and hugging him as tight as I could.

"After that we had breakfast and family worship, and then he took me on
his knee again and asked how I would like to spend the day?

"I answered that I would be glad to have a drive if he did not think it
too cold. He said he thought it was not if I were well wrapped up.

"There was no snow to make sleighing, so the carriage was ordered, I was
bundled up in furs, and we drove several miles.

"As we were about starting I ventured to ask, 'Papa, haven't you
forgotten to send my presents to Pinegrove?' He smiled and said, 'No, my
darling,' in a very pleasant tone, but that was all, and when we came
back I noticed that the presents were still in a closet in my dressing
room where they had lain ever since they were bought.

"I was quite puzzled to understand it, but I asked no questio