human
Yes, I am sorry, sighed Elsie, in reply to something her brother had said;
gpt
Christmas is such a delightful time at home, and, of course, we can't expect to have one here on the yacht.
human
No, said Ned, brightening,
gpt
Surely, I should think. I'll ask mamma or papa about it.
human
Have you any money?
gpt
Yes; I have two dollars I've been saving up to buy Christmas gifts. How much have you?
human
Fifty cents. It isn't much, but it will buy some little things, I guess.
gpt
Yes, of course it will. But, oh, Ned, Christmas comes Monday. To-morrow is Sunday; so we couldn't do any shopping, even if we were on the land; and we may as well give it up.
human
Yes, but we are having a very good time here on the 'Dolphin,' aren't we, Elsie?
gpt
Yes, indeed! and it would be really shameful for us to fret and worry over missing the usual Christmas gifts and pleasures.
human
What is troubling my little son and daughter? Tell papa, and perhaps he may find a way out of the woods.
gpt
Yes, papa; they are not very thick woods, laughed Elsie.
human
It is only that we are sorry we can't have any Christmas times this winter, or remember anybody with gifts, because we can't go to any stores to buy anything.
gpt
Are you quite sure of all that, daughter?
human
I thought I was, but perhaps my father knows better,
gpt
Well, I think a man of my age ought to know more than a little girl of yours. Don't you?
human
Oh, yes, indeed! and I know my father knows many, many times more than I do. Is there any way for us to get gifts for all these dear folks on the yacht with us, or for any of them, papa?
gpt
Yes, I remembered Christmas when we were getting ready to leave home, and provided such gifts as seemed desirable for each one of my family to give to others. I will give you each your share to-night before you go to your berths, and you can decide how you will distribute them--to whom you will give each one.
human
But, papa, I----
gpt
Well, dear child, what is it?
human
I was thinking, papa, that they could hardly be our gifts when you bought them and with your own money, not ours.
gpt
But I give them to you, daughter, and you may keep or give them away, just as you like. That makes them your gift quite as truly as if they had been bought with your own pocket money. Does it not?
human
Oh, yes, papa, so it seems to me, and I know it does since you say so, exclaimed Elsie joyously; Ned joining in with,
gpt
Oh, that's just splendid, papa! You are the best father in the world! Elsie and I both think so.
human
Well, it is very pleasant to have my children think so, however mistaken they may be, his father said, with a smile and an affectionate pat on the little boy's shoulder.
gpt
Well, my dears, suppose we go down at once and attend to these matters. It will be better now than later, I think, and not so likely to keep you from getting to sleep in good season to-night.