ary. "It is fun to trim it and the little children love
it so."

"Girls always like things that look pretty," piped Tim in disdain.

"And all boys care about is to eat and eat," Mary shot out with equal
scorn.

Hidden away in a corner behind his newspaper Captain Dillingham
chuckled. He was vastly amused by this family congress.

Meantime Mrs. McGregor, in order to avert the battle she saw rising,
said, "Suppose we put it to vote. Are you ready for the question?"

"Yes!" responded her flock in chorus.

"All right. Shall it be presents and turkey, or presents and a tree?"

"I want mince pie," proclaimed Martin flatly.

"But we are not talking of pie, dear," answered his mother patiently.
"It is the turkey we're voting on."

"I want turkey _and_ a tree _and_ presents _and_ ice-teem _and_ pie!"
Nell asserted shamelessly.

"Stockings and turkey, Ma! Stockings and turkey!" shouted Carl.

"Listen, dears!" began their mother. "As I told you before we can't
have everything. I wish we could but we just plain can't, so that ends
it. Therefore we must choose what we think we will get the most
pleasure out of. Now who is for turkey? Raise your hands!"

Every hand came up.

"And who is for a tree?"

Again every hand was raised.

Helplessly Mrs. McGregor sank back into her chair.

"Oh, dear," sighed she. "Don't you see we are getting nowhere? I told
you only a minute ago we couldn't have both."

Uncle Frederick came out from behind his paper.

"See here, you young savages," began he, laughing good-humoredly,
"listen to me! If you do not get down to business and use some sense,
Christmas will be here and you will have nothing at all."

A wail ascended from Nell and Martin.

"Your mother can give you either turkey or a tree; but she can't give
you both. In my opinion she is almighty good to do so much."

He saw the children flush uncomfortably. Carl dropped his eyes and Mary
slipped a hand into her mother's.

"Now instead of clamoring at her like a lot of ungrateful little brutes
and wanting the whole earth, why don't you show her you are grateful
for what she's doing?" went on Captain Dillingham in a sharper tone.

"Oh, it's all right, Frederick," interrupted Mrs. McGregor hurriedly.
"I don't want----"

The captain, however, was not to be stopped.

"Your mother is ready to give you turkey _or_ a tree. How many are for
turkey?"

Carl and Tim raised their hands.

"And who is for the tree?"

Instantly