n' stop callin' names! I guess ef
I'm yanked fer this I ain't th' only one that's goin' t' do time fer house
breakin'."

This statement, made with considerable vigor, had a sobering effect upon
Wilton, but Talbot began dancing round the tree looking for a chance to
pounce upon the porcelains.

"Ef ye don't set down--the whole caboodle o' ye--I'll smash 'em--I'll
smash 'em both! I'll bust 'em--sure as shootin'!" shouted The Hopper.

They cowered before him; Muriel wept softly; Billie played with his
chickies, disdainful of the world's woe. The Hopper, holding the two angry
men at bay, was enjoying his command of the situation.

"You gents ain't got no business to be fussin' an' causin' yer childern
trouble. An' ye ain't goin' to have these pretty jugs to fuss about no
more. I'm goin' t' give 'em away; I'm goin' to make a Chris'mas present of
'em to Shaver. They're goin' to be little Shaver's right here, all orderly
an' peace'ble, or I'll tromp on 'em! Looky here, Shaver, wot Santy Claus
brought ye!"

"Nice dood Sant' Claus!" cried Billie, diving under the davenport in quest
of the wandering chicks.

Silence held the grown-ups. The Hopper stood patiently by the Christmas
tree, awaiting the result of his diplomacy.

Then suddenly Wilton laughed--a loud laugh expressive of relief. He turned
to Talbot and put out his hand.

"It looks as though Muriel and her friend here had cornered us! The idea
of pooling our trophies and giving them as a Christmas present to Billie
appeals to me strongly. And, besides we've got to prepare somebody to love
these things after we're gone. We can work together and train Billie to be
the greatest collector in America!"

"Please, father," urged Roger as Talbot frowned and shook his head
impatiently.

Billie, struck with the happy thought of hanging one of his chickies on
the Christmas tree, caused them all to laugh at this moment. It was
difficult to refuse to be generous on Christmas morning in the presence of
the happy child!

"Well," said Talbot, a reluctant smile crossing his face, "I guess it's
all in the family anyway."

The Hopper, feeling that his work as the Reversible Santa Claus was
finished, was rapidly retreating through the dining-room when Muriel and
Roger ran after him.

"We're going to take you home," cried Muriel, beaming.

"Yer car's at the back gate, all right-side-up," said The Hopper, "but I
kin go on the trolley."

"Indeed you won't! Roger will take you