CHAP, IX.—TOM GIVES HIS PRESENTS.

SY8OM’S presents were unpacked out of his
E box, but still wrapped in paper and
tied with string. He knew at once which
was his mamma’s, because it was much longer
and thicker than the other, and which was
Richard’s, because it was rounder, and small
enough to go into his waistcoat pocket, so the
one left was of course the gardener’s. Tom
carried them all carefully down, but did not
tell Richard anything about his, though he
passed close to him at the dining-room
door.

“Good morning, mamma,” he said. Then
he handed her her present. ‘“‘That’s yours.
I hope I’ve guessed right. It took me a long
time to settle what to take away. Do you
like it?” |