Mr. Starr talked
a little Spanish with him. Then they were all rung
onshore.
TABLEAU: DEPARTING STEAMER. CROWD WAVES
HANDKERCHIEFS.
SCENE III
CHRISTMAS--THE END
At Mr. Starr's Christmas dinner, beside their cousins
from Harvard College and their second cousins from
Wellesley College and their third cousins from Bradford
Academy, they had young Clifford, the head book-keeper.
As he came in, joining the party on their way home from
church, he showed Mr. Starr a large parcel.
"It's the `Alaska's' mail, and I thought you might
like to see it."
"Ah, well!" said Mr. Starr, "it is Christmas, and I
think the letters can wait, at least till after dinner."
And a jolly dinner it was. Turkey for those who
wished, and goose for those who chose goose. And when
the Washington pie and the Marlborough pudding came, the
squash, the mince, the cranberry-tart, and the blazing
plum-pudding, then the children were put through their
genealogical catechism.
"Will, who is your mother's father's mother's father?"
"Lucy Pico, sir!" and then great shouting. Then was
it that Mr. Starr told the story which the reader has
read in scene one,--of the perils which may come when a
man has not a penny. He did not speak hastily, nor cast
reproach on Clara for her care of the button. Over
that part of the story he threw a cautious veil.
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