LITMIR.BIZ

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were extremely becoming, and Patty’s pretty face, with its soft colour and smiling eyes, rose like a flower from the white fur at her throat.

      “Yes, aren’t they beautiful?” Patty responded. “Father just gave them to me, and I’m so pleased with them.”

      “And well you may be. Now, you girls run away and play, for I’ve a thousand things to do.”

      Indeed, Mrs. Farrington was in a whirlpool of presents that she was both sending and receiving. Maids and footmen were running hither and thither, bringing messages or carrying out orders, and as the whole house was full of warmth and light, and the spicy fragrance of Christmas greens, Patty fairly revelled in the pleasant atmosphere.

      She was of a nature very susceptible to surroundings. Like a cat, she loved to bask in warm sunshine, or in a luxurious, softly-furnished place. Moreover, she was fond of Elise, and so looked forward to her three days’ visit with glad anticipation.

      After Patty had laid aside her things, the two girls sat down to chat in the big hall on the second floor of the mansion. A wood-fire was blazing, and soft, red-shaded lights cast a delightful glow.

      “Elise,” said Patty, somewhat suddenly, “don’t you think we have too much riches and things?”

      Elise stared at her.

      “What do you mean?” she asked.

      Patty laughed at her friend’s blank expression, but she went on.

      “I mean just what I say. Of course, you have lots more riches and things than I have; but I think we all have too much when we think of the poor people who haven’t any.”

      “Oh, you mean Socialism,” exclaimed Elise, suddenly enlightened.

      “No, I don’t mean Socialism. I mean plain, every-day charity. Don’t you think we ought to give away more?”

      “Why, yes, if you like,” said Elise, who was greatly puzzled. “Do you want me to subscribe to some charity? I will.”

      “Well, perhaps I’ll hold you to that,” said Patty, slowly; “for after the holidays I’m going to try to do something in the matter. I don’t know just what; I haven’t thought it out yet. But I’m not going to be what my father calls a ‘mere social butterfly,’ and I don’t believe you want to, either.”

      “No, I don’t; but do leave it all till after the holidays, Patty, for now I want you to help me with some Christmas presents.”

      Elise looked so worried and so beseeching that Patty laughed. Then she kissed her, and said: “All right, Lisa mine. Command me. My services are at your disposal.”

      So the girls went up to the Sun Parlour, where Elise had all her choicest belongings, and where she now had her array of Christmas gifts.

      The room was entirely of glass, and by a careful arrangement of double panes and concealed heat-pipes, was made comfortable even in the coldest weather. Flowers and plants were round the sides; birds in gilt cages sang and twittered; and gilt wicker furniture gave the place a dainty French effect that was charming. On the tables were strewn Christmas gifts of all sorts.

      “I’m just tying up the last ones,” said Elise. “Don’t be afraid to look; yours is safely hidden away. Now, here’s what I want to know.”

      She picked up a gold seal ring, which, however, had no crest or monogram cut on it,—and a bronze paper cutter.

      “They’re lovely,” said Patty, as she looked at them. “Who catches these?”

      “That’s just what I don’t know. I bought the ring for Roger and the paper cutter for Kenneth Harper; he’s coming to-night. But I’d like to change them about and give the ring to Ken, and the paper knife to Roger. Would you?”

      “No, I wouldn’t,” said Patty, bluntly. “Why do you want to do such a thing?”

      “The ring is much the handsomer gift,” said Elise, who had turned a trifle pink.

      “Of course it is,” said Patty, “and that’s why you should give it to your brother. It’s too personal a gift to give to a boy friend.”

      “That’s what I was afraid of,” said Elise, with a little sigh. “But Roger won’t care for it at all, and Kenneth would like it heaps.”

      “Because you gave it to him?” asked Patty, quickly.

      “Oh, I don’t know. Yes, perhaps so.”

      “Nonsense, Elise! You’re too young to give rings to young men.”

      “Ken isn’t a young man, he’s only a boy.”

      “Well, he’s over twenty-one; and anyway, I know it wouldn’t be right for you to give him a ring. Your mother wouldn’t like it at all.”

      “Oh, she wouldn’t care.”

      “Well, she ought to, and I think she would. Now, don’t be silly; give the ring to Roger, and if you want something grander than this bronze jig for Ken, get him a book. As handsome a book as you choose; but a book. Or something that’s impersonal. Not a ring or a watch-fob, or anything like that.”

      “But he gave you a necklace,—the day we sailed for Paris.”

      “Fiddle-de-dee! It was only a locket, with the merest thread of a gold chain; and anyway, I never wore it but once or twice.”

      “Well, you oughtn’t to have accepted it, if a personal gift is so reprehensible.”

      “Elise, you’re a goose!” said Patty, losing her patience at last. “A gift like that is not in very good taste from a boy to a girl; but from a girl to a boy, it’s very much worse. And, anyway, it was different in my case; for Ken and I are old friends, which you and he are not. And, beside, father knew about it, and he said as a parting keepsake it was all right. But at a Christmas tree, in your own house,—Elise, you’ll make a great mistake if you give Kenneth Harper a seal ring.”

      “All right, Patty, you know I always do just as you say, so I’ll give it to Roger.”

      Patty knew she had judged rightly in the matter, but she also knew that Elise was greatly disappointed at her decision.

      She had already noticed that Elise liked handsome Kenneth, but if she did, that was only an added reason why she should not make him a present of a ring.

      “She ought to have had more sense!” Patty said to herself, indignantly. “And I’m sorry if she’s sorry; but I couldn’t let her do such a foolish thing!”

      CHAPTER IV

      A SPLENDID TREE

      The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an early hour, that the younger Farrington children might take part in the festivities.

      Beside Elise and Roger, there were two younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, aged ten.

      When Patty went down to the drawing-room, she found these three eager with anticipation of the Christmas frolic about to begin.

      Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were no other guests, as this evening was to be a family celebration. Soon the other members of the household appeared, and then dinner was announced, and they all went to the dining-room.

      Mr. Farrington offered his arm to Patty, and escorted her out first, as guest of honour. Mrs. Farrington followed with Kenneth, and then the five Farrington children came out less formally.

      A burst of applause greeted their first sight of the dinner table. It was indeed a Christmas feast to the eye as well as to the palate.

      In the centre of the table was a Christmas tree, decorated with tinsel and gay ornaments, and lighted by tiny electric bulbs.

      At each plate also, was a tiny Christmas tree, whose box-shaped standards bore the names of the diners.

      “Here’s mine!” cried Bobby, as he slid into his chair. “Oh, what a jolly dinner!”

      On the little place trees hung nuts and bonbons which

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