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Rh down into the dining room with the stockings over their shoulders.

"A merry Christmas to Uncle Randolph from all of us," said Tom, handing over a much-coveted volume on agriculture. "And a merry Christmas to Aunt Martha from three bad boys," added Sam, and turned over a fancy work-basket, both presents having been purchased at Ithaca on the journey home.

"Ha! just what I desired!" said Randolph Rover, adjusting his spectacles. "I am very much obliged, boys&mdash;I am, indeed!"

"Such a pretty basket!" murmured Mrs. Rover. "It was very good of you!" and she hugged each lad in his turn. Then came more presents&mdash;neckties, collars, and gloves for the boys, besides a book for each written by a favorite juvenile writer.

"The snow is two feet deep!" said Dick, after an inspection, when breakfast had come to an end. "We're booked for the house to-day!"

"We'll wait until afternoon," said Mr. Rover.

It was a happy time, even if they were snowed in. Soon the warm sun came out and brought the snow down a little. "Best kind of sleighing now!" said the hired man, and drove around the biggest sleigh on the place. All tumbled in, and the party did not return until after midnight.