Ii8 Three Young Crusoes 



*'0, just any time we get ready," Henry replied. 

 "We don't know when Christmas comes, or any of 

 our birthdays, so one day is as good as another. We 

 picked out a lovely tree." 



The next few weeks were busy ones, and some- 

 body was always hiding something. To Snowball, 

 it was to be a big surprise. Finally, the wonderful day 

 arrived, when everything was ready. The tree was 

 set up under the royal palm opposite the table and 

 decorated with candles, pine splinters, and the accu- 

 mulations of weeks in the form of presents and good 

 things to eat. No other Christmas tree ever bore 

 such a queer and motley load; and but few were ever 

 more appreciated. 



Henry dressed up the best he could as Santa Claus 

 and tried to keep cool while he distributed the pre- 

 sents. Edna had on her finest laces and beads. 

 William could hardly keep his eyes off of Snowball, 

 who exhibited the most varied and expressive emo- 

 tions; while the monkey danced about the tree and 

 chattered with glee. 



Far into the night, the candles burned and the 

 revelers made merry. 



Next morning, William got a long stick, cut a 

 notch in it at one end, and stood it up in the corner. 

 "That's our birthday stick," he said. "When I get 



