"I notice you always eat enough of my pies, decks--yes, and hull and riggin', too." Then there was THE great surprise, that which the partners had prepared for their idolized niece.

Mary found beside her plate a small, oblong package, wrapped in tissue paper and labeled, "To Mary-'Gusta, from Uncle Shadrach and Uncle Zoeth, with a Merry Christmas." Inside the paper was a pasteboard box, inside that a leather case, and inside THAT a handsome gold watch and chain.

Then there was much excited exclaiming and delighted thanks on Mary's part, and explanations and broad grins on that of the givers.
"But you shouldn't have done it! Of course you shouldn't!" protested Mary.

"It's perfectly lovely and I wanted a watch more than anything; but I KNOW this must have cost a great deal." "Never, neither," protested the Captain.

"We got it wholesale.