"It is your father's turn now, as the next in age.

Captain, will you not favor us with some of your reminiscences of former holiday experiences?
or of something else if you prefer.

I know you are a famous story teller." "Oh yes, captain!" "Oh yes, papa do, please," urged the others.
"Some other time, perhaps," he said.

"Do you know how late it is?
time to call the servants in to prayers, and then for the little folks to seek their nests.

Max, my son, ring the bell." "Then you don't mean to let us stay up to watch the old year out and the new year in, papa ?" queried the lad, as he rose and obeyed the order.
"Hardly," his father answered with a slight smile; "You are all too young to be allowed to lose so large a portion of your night's rest.