Lulu'sLibrary,VolumeIIIBy

LouisaMayAlcott

LULU'SLIBRARY

I.RECOLLECTIONSOFMYCHILDHOOD.

Oneofmyearliestmemoriesisofplayingwithbooksinmyfather'sstudy,--building towers and bridges of the big dictionaries, looking at pictures,pretending to read, and scribbling on blank pages whenever pen or pencilcould be found.Many of these first attempts at authorship still exist; and Ioften wonder if these childish plays did not influence my after-life, sincebookshavebeenmygreatestcomfort,castle-buildinganever-failingdelight,andscribblingaveryprofitableamusement.AnotherveryvividrecollectionisofthedaywhenrunningaftermyhoopIfellintotheFrogPondandwasrescuedbyablackboy,becomingafriendtothecoloredracethenandthere,thoughmymotheralwaysdeclaredthatIwasanabolitionistattheageofthree.During the Garrison riot in Boston the portrait of George Thompson washiddenunderabedinourhouseforsafekeeping;andIamtoldthatIusedtogo and comfort "the good man who helped poor slaves" in his captivity.Howeverthatmaybe,theconversionwasgenuine;andmygreatestprideisinthefactthatIhavelivedtoknowthebravemenandwomenwhodidsomuchforthecause,andthatIhadaverysmallshareinthewarwhichputanendtoagreatwrong.Being born on the birthday of Columbus, I seem to have something ofmypatronsaint'sspiritofadventure,andrunningawaywasoneofthedelightsof

mychildhood.ManyasociallunchhaveIsharedwithhospitableIrishbeggarchildren, as we ate our crusts, cold potatoes, and salt fish on voyages ofdiscovery among the ash heaps of the waste land that then lay where theAlbanystationnowstands.ManyanimpromptupicnichaveIhadonthedearoldCommon,withstrangeboys, pretty babies, and friendly dogs, who always seemed to feel that thisrecklessyoungpersonneededlookingafter.Ononeoccasionthetown-crierfoundmefastasleepatnineo'clockatnight,onadoorstepinBedfordStreet,withmyheadpillowedonthecurlybreastofabigNewfoundland,whowaswithdifficultypersuadedtoreleasethewearylittlewandererwhohadsobbedherselftosleepthere.IoftensmileasIpassthatdoor,andneverforgettogiveagratefulpattoeverybigdogImeet,forneverhaveIsleptmoresoundlythanonthatdustystep,norfoundabetterfriendthanthenobleanimalwhowatchedoverthelostbabysofaithfully.Myfather'sschoolwastheonlyoneIeverwentto;andwhenthiswasbrokenupbecauseheintroducedmethodsnowallthefashion,ourlessonswentonathome,forhewasalwayssureoffourlittlepupilswhofirmlybelievedintheirteacher,thoughtheyhavenotdonehimallthecredithedeserved.I never liked arithmetic or grammar, and dodged these branches on alloccasions;butreading,composition,history,andgeographyIenjoyed,aswellas the stories read to us with a skill whichmade the dullest charming anduseful."Pilgrim'sProgress,"Krummacher's"Parables,"MissEdgeworth,andthebestof the dear old fairy tales made that hour the pleasantest of our day. OnSundayswe had a simple service ofBible stories, hymns, and conversationabout thestateofour littleconsciencesand theconductofourchildish liveswhichneverwillbeforgotten.Walks eachmorning round theCommonwhile in the city, and long trampsover hill and dale when our home was in the country, were a part of oureducation,aswellaseverysortofhousework,forwhichIhavealwaysbeenverygrateful,sincesuchknowledgemakesone independent in thesedaysofdomestictribulationwiththehelpwhoaretoooftenonlyhindrances.Needle-work began early; and at ten my skilful sister made a linen shirtbeautifully,whileattwelveIsetupasadolls'dressmaker,withmysignout,andwonderfulmodelsinmywindow.Allthechildrenemployedme;andmyturbansweretherageatonetime,tothegreatdismayoftheneighbor'shens,whowerehotlyhunteddownthatImighttweakouttheirdowniestfeatherstoadornthedolls'head-gear.

ActiveexercisewasmydelightfromthetimewhenachildofsixIdrovemyhooproundtheCommonwithoutstopping,tothedayswhenIdidmytwentymilesinfivehoursandwenttoapartyintheevening.I always thought Imust have been a deer or a horse in some former state,becauseitwassuchajoytorun.NoboycouldbemyfriendtillIhadbeatenhiminarace,andnogirl ifsherefusedtoclimbtrees, leapfences,andbeatomboy.Mywisemother,anxioustogivemeastrongbodytosupporta livelybrain,turnedmelooseinthecountryandletmerunwild,learningofNaturewhatnobookscanteach,andbeingled,asthosewhotrulyloveherseldomfailtobe,"ThroughNatureuptoNature'sGod."I remember running over the hills just at dawn one summer morning, andpausingtorestinthesilentwoods,saw,throughanarchoftrees,thesunriseoverriver,hill,andwidegreenmeadowsasIneversawitbefore.Something born of the lovely hour, a happy mood, and the unfoldingaspirationsofachild'ssoulseemedtobringmeveryneartoGod;andinthehush of thatmorning hour I always felt that I "got religion," as the phrasegoes.AnewandvitalsenseofHispresence,tenderandsustainingasafather'sarms, came to me then, never to change through forty years of life'svicissitudes,buttogrowstrongerforthesharpdisciplineofpovertyandpain,sorrowandsuccess.Those Concord days were the happiest of my life, for we had charmingplaymatesinthelittleEmersons,Channings,Hawthornes,andGoodwins,withthe illustrious parents and their friends to enjoy our pranks and share ourexcursions.Playsinthebarnwereafavoriteamusement,andwedramatizedthefairytalesin great style. Our giant came tumbling off a loft when Jack cut down thesquash-vine running up a ladder to represent the immortal bean. Cinderellarolled away in a vast pumpkin; and a long black pudding was lowered byinvisiblehandstofastenitselfonthenoseofthewomanwhowastedherthreewishes.Littlepilgrimsjourneyedoverthehillswithscripandstaff,andcockle-shellsin their hats; elves held their pretty revels among the pines, and "PeterWilkins'"flyingladiescameswingingdownonthebirchtree-tops.Lordsandladieshauntedthegarden,andmermaidssplashedinthebath-houseofwovenwillowsoverthebrook.Peoplewondered at our frolics, but enjoyed them; and droll stories are stilltoldof theadventuresof thosedays.Mr.EmersonandMargaretFullerwerevisitingmyparentsoneafternoon;and theconversationhavingturnedto the

ever-interestingsubjectofeducation,MissFullersaid,--"Well,Mr.Alcott,youhavebeenabletocarryoutyourmethodsinyourownfamily,andIshouldliketoseeyourmodelchildren."She did in a fewmoments,--for as the guests stood on the doorsteps awilduproar approached, and round the corner of the house came awheelbarrowholdingbabyMayarrayedasaqueen;Iwasthehorse,bittedandbridled,anddrivenbymyeldersisterAnna,whileLizzieplayeddogandbarkedasloudashergentlevoicepermitted.Allwereshouting,andwildwithfun,which,however,cametoasuddenendasweespiedthestatelygroupbeforeus,formyfoottripped,anddownweallwentinalaughingheap,whilemymotherputaclimaxtothejokebysayingwithadramaticwaveofthehand,--"Herearethemodelchildren,MissFuller!"My sentimental period began at fifteen, when I fell to writing romances,poems,a"heartjournal,"anddreamingdreamsofasplendidfuture.BrowsingoverMr.Emerson'slibrary,Ifound"Goethe'sCorrespondencewithaChild,"andwasatoncefiredwiththedesiretobeasecondBettine,makingmyfather'sfriendmyGoethe.SoIwroteletterstohim,butwaswiseenoughnever tosend them, leftwild flowerson thedoorstepsofmy"Master,"sungMignon's song in very bad German under his window, and was fond ofwanderingbymoonlight, or sitting in a cherry-tree atmidnight till the owlsscaredmetobed.Thegirlishfollydidnotlast long,andtheletterswereburnedyearsago;butGoethe is still my favorite author, and Emerson remained my beloved"Master"whilehelived,doingmoreforme,asformanyanotheryoungsoul,thanheeverknew,bythesimplebeautyofhislife,thetruthandwisdomofhisbooks,theexampleofagoodgreatmanuntemptedandunspoiledbytheworldwhichhemadenoblerwhileinit,andleftthericherwhenhewent.The trials of life began about this time, and my happy childhood ended.Money is never plentiful in a philosopher's house; and even the maternalpelicancouldnotsupplyallourwantsonthesmallincomewhichwasfreelysharedwitheveryneedysoulwhoaskedforhelp.Fugitiveslaveswereshelteredunderour roof;andmyfirstpupilwasaveryblackGeorgeWashingtonwhomItaughttowriteonthehearthwithcharcoal,hisbigfingersfindingpenandpencilunmanageable.Motherlessgirlsseekingprotectionwereguardedamongus;hungrytravellerssentontoourdoortobefedandwarmed;andifthephilosopherhappenedtoown two coats, the best went to a needy brother, for these were practicalChristianswhohad themost perfect faith inProvidence, andnever found it

betrayed.Inthosedaystheprophetswerenothonoredin theirownland,andConcordhadnotyetdiscoveredhergreatmen.Itwasasortofrefugeforreformersofallsorts,whomthegoodnativesregardedaslunatics,harmlessbutamusing.My fatherwent away to hold his classes and conversations, andwewomenfolkbegantofeelthatwealsomightdosomething.SoonegloomyNovemberdaywedecidedtomovetoBostonandtryourfateagainaftersomeyearsinthewilderness.Myfather'sprospectwasaspromisingasaphilosopher'severisinamoney-making world; my mother's friends offered her a good salary as theirmissionarytothepoor;andmysisterandIhopedtoteach.Itwasananxiouscouncil;andalwayspreferringactiontodiscussion,Itookabriskrunoverthehillandthensettleddownfor"agoodthink"inmyfavoriteretreat.Itwasanoldcart-wheel,halfhiddeningrassunderthelocustswhereIusedtosittowrestlewithmysums,andusuallyforgetthemscribblingversesorfairytales onmy slate instead. Perched on the hub, I surveyed the prospect andfound it rathergloomy,with leafless trees, seregrass, leadensky, and frostyair; but the hopeful heart of fifteen beat warmly under the old red shawl,visionsofsuccessgavethegraycloudsasilverlining,andIsaiddefiantly,asIshookmyfistatfateembodiedinacrowcawingdismallyonafencenearby,--"I will do something by-and-by. Don't care what, teach, sew, act, write,anythingtohelpthefamily;andI'llberichandfamousandhappybeforeIdie,seeifIwon't!"Startled by this audacious outburst, the crow flew away; but the old wheelcreakedasifitbegantoturnatthatmoment,stirredbytheintensedesireofanambitiousgirltoworkforthoseshelovedandfindsomerewardwhenthedutywasdone.Ididnotmind theomen then,and returned to thehousecoldbut resolute. IthinkIbegantoshouldermyburdenthenandthere,forwhenthefreecountrylife ended, thewild colt soon learned to tug inharness, onlybreaking loosenowandthenforatasteofbelovedliberty.MysistersandIhadcherishedfinedreamsofahomeinthecity;butwhenwefoundourselvesinasmallhouseattheSouthEndwithnotatreeinsight,onlyabackyardtoplayin,andnomoneytobuyanyofthesplendorsbeforeus,weallrebelledandlongedforthecountryagain.Anna soon found little pupils, and trudged away eachmorning to her dailytask,pausingatthecornertowaveherhandtomeinanswertomysalutewiththeduster.Myfatherwenttohisclassesathisroomdowntown,mothertoherall-absorbing poor, the little girls to school, and I was left to keep house,

feeling likeacagedsea-gullas Iwasheddishesandcooked in thebasementkitchen,wheremyprospectwaslimitedtoaprocessionofmuddyboots.Gooddrill,butveryhard;andmyonlyconsolationwas theevening reunionwhenallmetwith suchvaried reportsof theday'sadventures,wecouldnotfailtofindbothamusementandinstruction.Father brought news from the upperworld, and thewise, good peoplewhoadornedit;mother,usuallymuchdilapidatedbecauseshewouldgiveawayherclothes,withsadtalesofsufferingandsinfromthedarkersideoflife;gentleAnna amodest account of her success as teacher, for even at seventeen hersweet nature won all who knew her, and her patience quelled the mostrebelliouspupil.My reports were usually a mixture of the tragic and the comic; and thechildren poured their small joys and woes into the family bosom, wherecomfortandsympathywerealwaystobefound.Then we youngsters adjourned to the kitchen for our fun, which usuallyconsistedofwriting,dressing,andactingaseriesofremarkableplays.InoneIrememberItookfivepartsandAnnafour,withlightningchangesofcostume,andcharactersvarying fromaGreekprince in silverarmor toamurderer inchains.Itwasgoodtrainingformemoryandfingers, forwerecitedpageswithoutafault,andmadeeverysortofpropertyfromaharptoafairy'sspangledwings.LaterweactedShakespeare;andHamletwasmyfavoritehero,playedwithagloomyglareandatragicstalkwhichIhaveneverseensurpassed.Butwewere now beginning to play our parts on a real stage, and to knowsomethingofthepatheticsideoflife,withitshardfacts,irksomeduties,manytemptations, and the daily sacrifice of self. Fortunately we had the truest,tenderestofguidesandguards,andsolearnedthesweetusesofadversity,thevalue of honest work, the beautiful law of compensationwhich givesmorethanittakes,andtherealsignificanceoflife.AtsixteenIbeganto teach twentypupils,andfor tenyears learned toknowandlovechildren.Thestory-writingwentonallthewhilewiththeusualtrialsofbeginners.Fairy tales told theEmersonsmade the first printedbook, and"HospitalSketches"thefirstsuccessfulone.Everyexperiencewentintothecaldrontocomeoutasfroth,orevaporateinsmoke, till timeandsufferingstrengthenedandclarified themixtureof truthandfancy,andawholesomedraughtforchildrenbegantoflowpleasantlyandprofitably.Sotheomenprovedatrueone,andthewheeloffortuneturnedslowly,tillthegirl of fifteen found herself a woman of fifty, with her prophetic dream

beautifullyrealized,herdutydone,herrewardfargreaterthanshedeserved.

II.ACHRISTMASTURKEY,ANDHOWITCAME.

"Iknowwecouldn'tdoit.""Isaywecould,ifweallhelped.""Howcanwe?""I'veplannedlotsofways;onlyyoumustn't laughatthem,andyoumustn'tsayawordtomother.Iwantittobeallasurprise.""She'llfindusout.""No,shewon't,ifwetellherwewon'tgetintomischief.""Fireaway,then,andlet'shearyourfineplans.""Wemusttalksoftly,orweshallwakefather.He'sgotaheadache."Acuriouschangecameoverthefacesofthetwoboysastheirsisterloweredher voice, with a nod toward a half-opened door. They looked sad andashamed,andKittysighedasshespoke, forallknewthat father'sheadachesalways began by his coming home stupid or cross, with only a part of hiswages;andmotheralwayscriedwhenshe thought theydidnot seeher, andafter the longsleep father lookedas ifhedidn't like tomeet theireyes,butwentoffearly.Theyknewwhat itmeant,butneverspokeof it,--onlyponderedover it,andmourned with mother at the change which was slowly altering their kindindustriousfatherintoamoodyman,andmotherintoananxiousover-workedwoman.Kittywasthirteen,andaverycapablegirl,whohelpedwiththehousekeeping,took care of the two little ones, and went to school. Tommy and Sammylookedup toherand thoughthera remarkablygoodsister.Now,as theysatround the stove having "a go-to-bed warm," the three heads were closetogether;andtheboyslistenedeagerlytoKitty'splans,whiletherattleofthesewing-machineinanotherroomwentonastirelesslyasithaddoneallday,formother'sworkwasmoreandmoreneededeverymonth."Well!"beganKitty,inanimpressivetone,"weallknowthattherewon'tbeabit of Christmas in this family if we don't make it.Mother's too busy, andfatherdon'tcare,sowemustseewhatwecando;forIshouldbemortifiedtodeathtogotoschoolandsayIhadn'thadanyturkeyorplum-pudding.Don'texpectpresents;butwemusthavesomekindofadecentdinner."

"SoIsay;I'mtiredoffishandpotatoes,"saidSammy,theyounger."Butwhere'sthedinnercomingfrom?"askedTommy,whohadalreadytakensome of the cares of life on his young shoulders, and knew that Christmasdinnersdidnotwalkintopeople'shouseswithoutmoney."We'llearnit;"andKittylookedlikeasmallNapoleonplanningthepassageoftheAlps."You,Tom,mustgoearlyto-morrowtoMr.Brisketandoffertocarrybaskets.Hewillbedreadfullybusy,andwantyou,Iknow;andyouaresostrongyoucanlugasmuchassomeofthebigfellows.Hepayswell,andifhewon'tgivemuchmoney,youcantakeyourwagesinthingstoeat.Wewanteverything.""WhatshallIdo?"criedSammy,whileTomsat turningthisplanoverinhismind."Taketheoldshovelandclearsidewalks.Thesnowcameonpurposetohelpyou.""It's awful hard work, and the shovel's half gone," began Sammy, whopreferredtospendhisholidaycoastingonanoldtea-tray."Don'tgrowl,oryouwon'tgetanydinner,"saidTom,makinguphismindtolugbasketsforthegoodofthefamily,likeamanlyladashewas."I,"continuedKitty,"havetakenthehardestpartofall;foraftermyworkisdone,and thebabies safelysettled, I 'mgoing tobeg for the leavingsof thehollyandpinesweptoutofthechurchdownbelow,andmakesomewreathsandsellthem.""If you can," put in Tommy, who had tried pencils, and failed to make afortune."Notinthestreet?"criedSam,lookingalarmed."Yes,atthecornerofthePark.I'mboundtomakesomemoney,anddon'tseeanyotherway.Ishallputonanoldhoodandshawl,andnoonewillknowme.Don'tcareiftheydo."AndKittytriedtomeanwhatshesaid,butinherheartshefelt that itwouldbea trial toherpride ifanyofherschoolmatesshouldhappentorecognizeher."Don'tbelieveyou'lldoit.""SeeifIdon't;forIwillhaveagooddinneronedayintheyear.""Well,itdoesn'tseemrightforustodoit.Fatheroughttotakecareofus,andwe only buy some presents with the little bit we earn. He never gives usanythingnow."AndTommyscowledatthebedroomdoor,withastrongsenseofinjurystrugglingwithaffectioninhisboyishheart."Hush!"criedKitty."Don'tblamehim.Mothersayswenevermustforgethe'sourfather.Itrynotto;butwhenshecries,it'shardtofeelasIought."Anda

sobmadethelittlegirlstopshortasshepokedthefiretohidethetroubleinthefacethatshouldhavebeenallsmiles.Foramoment theroomwasverystill,as thesnowbeatonthewindow,andthe fire-light flickered over the six shabby little boots put up on the stovehearthtodry.Tommy'scheerfulvoicebrokethesilence,sayingstoutly,"Well,ifI'vegottoworkallday,IguessI'llgotobedearly.Don'tfret,Kit.We'llhelpallwecan,andhaveagoodtime;seeifwedon't.""I'llgooutrealearly,andshovellikefury.MaybeI'llgetadollar.Wouldthatbuyaturkey?"askedSammy,withtheairofamillionnaire."No,dear;onebigenoughforuswouldcost two,I 'mafraid.Perhapswe 'llhaveonesentus.Webelongtothechurch,thoughfolksdon'tknowhowpoorwearenow, andwecan't beg."AndKittybustled about, clearingup, ratherexercisedinhermindaboutgoingandaskingforthemuch-desiredfowl.Soonallthreewerefastasleep,andnothingbutthewhirofthemachinebrokethequietthatfelluponthehouse.Thenfromtheinnerroomamancameandsatover thefirewithhishead inhishandsandhiseyes fixedon theraggedlittlebootslefttodry.Hehadheardthechildren'stalk;andhisheartwasveryheavyashelookedabouttheshabbyroomthatusedtobesoneatandpleasant.Whathethoughtnooneknows,whathedidweshallseeby-and-by;but thesorrow and shame and tender silence of his childrenworked amiracle thatnightmorelastingandlovelythanthewhitebeautywhichthesnowwroughtuponthesleepingcity.Bright and early theboyswere away to theirwork;whileKitty sang as shedressedthelittlesisters,putthehouseinorder,andmadehermothersmileatthe mysterious hints she gave of something splendid which was going tohappen.Fatherwasgone,andthoughallratherdreadedevening,nothingwassaid;buteachworkedwithawill, feelingthatChristmasshouldbemerryinspiteofpovertyandcare.AlldayTommyluggedfatturkeys,roastsofbeef,andeverysortofvegetableforotherpeople'sgooddinnerson themorrow,wonderingmeanwhilewherehisownwascomingfrom.Mr.Briskethadanarmyofboystrudginghereandthere,andwastoobusytonoticeanyparticularladtillthehurrywasover,andonly a fewbelated buyers remained to be served. Itwas late; but the storeskeptopen,and thoughso tiredhecouldhardlystand,braveTommyheldonwhen theotherboys left,hoping toearna triflemorebyextrawork.Hesatdownonabarreltorestduringaleisuremoment,andpresentlyhiswearyheadnodded sideways into a basket of cranberries,wherehe slept quietly till thesoundofgruffvoicesrousedhim.ItwasMr.Brisketscoldingbecauseonedinnerhadbeenforgotten.

"ItoldthatrascalBealstobesureandcarryit,fortheoldgentlemanwillbeina rage if itdoesn'tcome,and takeawayhiscustom.Everyboygone,andIcan'tleavethestore,noryoueither,Pat,withalltheclearinguptodo.""Here's a by, sir, slapin illigant forninst the cranberries, bad luck to him!"answeredPat,withashakethatsetpoorTomonhislegs,wideawakeatonce."Goodlucktohim,youmean.Here,What's-your-name,youtakethisbasketto that number, and I 'llmake itworth yourwhile," saidMr.Brisket,muchrelievedbythisunexpectedhelp."Allright,sir;"andTommytrudgedoffasbrisklyashis tiredlegswouldlethim, cheering the long coldwalkwith visions of the turkeywithwhich hisemployermightrewardhim,fortherewerepilesofthem,andPatwastohaveoneforhisfamily.His brilliant dreams were disappointed, however, for Mr. Brisket naturallysupposedTom'sfatherwouldattendtothatpartofthedinner,andgenerouslyheapedabasketwithvegetables,rosyapples,andaquartofcranberries."There,ifyouain'ttootired,youcantakeonemoreloadtothatnumber,andamerryChristmas toyou!" said the stoutman,handingoverhisgiftwith thepromiseddollar."Thankyou,sir;good-night,"answeredTom,shoulderinghislastloadwithagratefulsmile,andtryingnot to looklonginglyat thepoultry;forhehadsethisheartonatleastaskinnybirdasasurprisetoKit.Sammy's adventures that day had been more varied and his efforts moresuccessful,asweshallsee,intheend,forSammywasamostengaginglittlefellow, andnoone could look into his blue eyeswithoutwanting to pat hiscurly yellow headwith one handwhile the other gave him something. Thecares of life had not lessened his confidence in people; and only the mostabandoned ruffians had the heart to deceive or disappoint him. His verytribulations usually led to something pleasant, and whatever happened,sunshinySamcamerightsideup,luckyandlaughing.Undauntedbythedriftsorthecoldwind,hemarchedoffwiththeremainsofthe old shovel to seek his fortune, and found it at the third housewhere hecalled.Thefirsttwosidewalkswereeasyjobs;andhepocketedhisninepenceswithagrowingconvictionthat thiswashischosenwork.Thethirdsidewalkwas a fine long one, for the house stood on the corner, and two pavementsmustbecleared."Itoughttobefiftycents;butperhapstheywon'tgivemesomuch,I'msuchayoungone.I'llshow'emIcanwork,though,likeaman;"andSammyrangthebellwiththeenergyofatelegraphboy.Beforethebellcouldbeanswered,abigboyrushedup,exclaimingroughly,

"Getoutofthis!I'mgoingtohavethejob.Youcan'tdoit.Start,now,orI'llchuckyouintoasnow-bank.""Iwon't!"answeredSammy,indignantat thebrutal toneandunjustclaim."Igotherefirst,andit'smyjob.Youletmealone.Iain'tafraidofyouoryoursnow-bankseither."Thebigboywastednotimeinwords,forstepswereheardinside,butafterabriefscufflehauledSammy,fightingbravelyalltheway,downthesteps,andtumbledhimintoadeepdrift.Thenheranupthesteps,andrespectfullyaskedforthejobwhenaneatmaidopenedthedoor.HewouldhavegotitifSamhadnot roared out, as he floundered in the drift, "I came first. He knockedmedown'causeI'mthesmallest.Pleaseletmedoit;please!"Beforeanotherwordcouldbesaid,alittleoldladyappearedinthehall,tryingto look stern, and failing entirely, because shewas thepictureof adear fat,coseygrandma."Sendthatbadbigboyaway,Maria,andcallinthepoorlittlefellow.Isawthewholething,andheshallhavethejobifhecandoit."The bully slunk away, and Sammy came panting up the steps, white withsnow,agreatbruiseonhisforehead,andabeamingsmileonhisface,lookingsolikeajollylittleSantaClauswhohadtakena"header"outofhissleighthatthemaidlaughed,andtheoldladyexclaimed,"Blesstheboy!he'sdreadfullyhurt,anddoesn'tknowit.Comeinandbebrushedandgetyourbreath,child,andtellmehowthatscampcametotreatyouso."Nothingloathtobecomforted,SammytoldhislittletalewhileMariadustedhimoff on themat, and theold ladyhovered in thedoorwayof thedining-room,whereanicebreakfastsmokedandsmelledsodeliciouslythattheboysniffedtheodorofcoffeeandbuckwheatslikeahungryhound."He 'llgethisdeath ifhegoes toworktillhe'sdriedabit.Puthimover theregister,Maria,andI'llgivehimahotdrink,forit'sbittercold,poordear!"Away trotted the kind old lady, and in aminute camebackwith coffee andcakes,onwhichSammyfeastedashewarmedhistoesandtoldKitty'splansforChristmas,ledonbytheoldlady'squestions,andquiteunconsciousthathewaslettingallsortsofcatsoutofthebag.Mrs.Bryantunderstoodthelittlestory,andmadeherplansalso,fortherosy-facedboywasverylikealittlegrandsonwhodiedlastyear,andhersadoldheartwasverytendertoallothersmallboys.SoshefoundoutwhereSammylived,andnoddedandsmiledathimmostcheerilyashetuggedstoutlyawayat the snowon the longpavements till allwasdone, and the littleworkmancameforhiswages.Abrightsilverdollarandapocketfulofgingerbreadsenthimoffa richand

happy boy to shovel and sweep till noon, when he proudly showed hisearnings at home, and feasted the babies on the carefully hoarded cake, forDillyandDotweretheidolsofthehousehold."Now, Sammy dear, I want you to take my place here this afternoon, formother will have to take her work home by-and-by, and I must sell mywreaths.Ionlygotenoughgreenforsix,andtwobunchesofholly;butifIcansellthemfortenortwelvecentsapiece,Ishallbeglad.Girlsnevercanearnasmuchmoneyasboyssomehow,"sighedKitty,surveyingthethinwreathstiedup with carpet ravellings, and vainly puzzling her young wits over a sadproblem."I'llgiveyousomeofmymoneyifyoudon'tgetadollar;thenwe'llbeeven.Men always take care of women, you know, and ought to," cried Sammy,settingafineexampletohisfather,ifhehadonlybeentheretoprofitbyit.With thanks Kitty left him to rest on the old sofa, while the happy babiesswarmed over him; and putting on the shabby hood and shawl, she slippedaway to stand at the Park gate, modestly offering her little wares to thepassers-by.A nice old gentleman bought two, and hiswife scolded him forgettingsuchbadones;butthemoneygavemorehappinessthananyotherhespentthatday.Achildtookaten-centbunchofhollywithitsredberries,andthereKitty'smarket ended. Itwas very cold, peoplewere in a hurry, bolderhucksterspressedbefore thetimidlittlegirl,andtheballoonmantoldher to"clearout."Hopingforbetterluck,shetriedseveralotherplaces;buttheshortafternoonwassoonover,thestreetsbegantothin,thekeenwindchilledhertothebone,andherheartwasveryheavy to think that in all the rich,merrycity,whereChristmasgiftspassedherineveryhand,therewerenoneforthedearbabiesandboysathome,andtheChristmasdinnerwasafailure."Imustgoandgetsupperanyway;andI'llhangtheseupinourownrooms,asIcan'tsellthem,"saidKitty,wipingaverybigtearfromhercoldcheek,andturningtogoaway.Asmaller,shabbiergirlthanherselfstoodnear,lookingatthebunchofhollywithwistfuleyes;andgladtodotoothersasshewishedsomeonewoulddotoher,Kittyofferedtheonlythingshehadtogive,sayingkindly,"Youmayhaveit;merryChristmas!"andranawaybeforethedelightedchildcouldthankher.Iamverysurethatoneofthespiritswhoflyaboutatthisseasonoftheyearsaw the little act,made a note of it, and in about fifteenminutes rewardedKittyforhersweetremembranceofthegoldenrule.AsshewentsadlyhomewardshelookedupatsomeofthebighouseswhereeverywindowshonewiththefestivitiesofChristmasEve,andmorethanonetearfell,forthelittlegirlfoundlifeprettyhardjustthen.

"There don't seem to be anywreaths at thesewindows; perhaps they 'd buymine.Ican'tbear togohomewithsolittleformyshare,"shesaid,stoppingbeforeoneofthebiggestandbrightestofthesefairypalaces,wherethesoundofmusicwasheard,andmanylittleheadspeepedfrombehindthecurtainsasifwatchingforsomeone.Kittywasjustgoingupthestepstomakeanothertrial,whentwosmallboyscame racing round the corner, slipped on the icy pavement, and both wentdown with a crash that would have broken older bones. One was up in aminute, laughing; the other lay squirming and howling, "Oh, my knee! myknee!"tillKittyranandpickedhimupwiththemotherlyconsolationsshehadlearnedtogive."It'sbroken;Iknowitis,"wailedthesmallsuffererasKittycarriedhimupthesteps,whilehisfriendwildlyrangthedoorbell.Itwas likegoing intofairy-land, for thehousewasallastirwithachildren'sChristmas party. Servants flew about with smiling faces; open doors gaveravishingglimpsesofafeastinoneroomandasplendidtreeinanother;whilea crowd of little faces peered over the balusters in the hall above, eager tocomedownandenjoythegloriespreparedforthem.A pretty young girl came to meet Kitty, and listened to her story of theaccident,whichproved tobe less severe than it at firstappeared; forBertie,theinjuredparty,forgothisanguishatsightofthetree,andhoppedupstairssonimblythateveryonelaughed."Hesaidhislegwasbroken,butIguesshe'sallright,"saidKitty,reluctantlyturningfromthishappyscenetogooutintothenightagain."Wouldyou like to seeour treebefore the children comedown?" asked theprettygirl, seeing thewistful look in the child's eyes, and the shineofhalf-driedtearsonhercheek."Oh,yes;Ineversawanythingsolovely.I 'dliketotell thebabiesallaboutit;"andKitty'sfacebeamedattheprospect,asifthekindwordshadmeltedallthefrostaway."Howmanybabiesarethere?"askedtheprettygirl,assheledthewayintothebrilliant room. Kitty told her, adding several other facts, for the friendlyatmosphereseemedtomakethemfriendsatonce."Iwillbuythewreaths,forwehaven'tany,"saidthegirlinsilk,asKittytoldhowshewasjustcomingtoofferthemwhentheboysfell.It was pretty to see how carefully the little hostess laid away the shabbygarlandsandslippedahalf-dollarintoKitty'shand;prettierstill,towatchtheslywayinwhichshetuckedsomebonbons,aredball,abluewhip,twochinadolls, twopairsoflittlemittens,andsomegildednutsintoanemptyboxfor

"the babies;" and prettiest of all, to see the smiles and tearsmakeApril inKitty'sfaceasshetriedtotellherthanksforthisbeautifulsurprise.Theworldwasallrightwhenshegotintothestreetagainandranhomewiththepreciousboxhuggedclose,feelingthatatlastshehadsomethingtomakeamerryChristmasof.Shrieksofjoygreetedher,forSammy'sniceoldladyhadsentabasketfullofpies,nutsand raisins,orangesandcake,and--oh,happySammy!--a sled,allforloveoftheblueeyesthattwinkledsomerrilywhenhetoldheraboutthetea-tray.Pileduponthisredcaroftriumph,DillyandDotwerebeingdraggedabout,whiletheothertreasuresweresetforthonthetable."Imustshowmine,"criedKitty;"we'lllookatthemto-night,andhavethemto-morrow;"andamidmorecriesofraptureherboxwasunpacked,hermoneyadded to the pile in the middle of the table, where Sammy had laid hishandsomecontributiontowardtheturkey.Before the story of the splendid tree was over, in came Tommy with hissubstantialofferingandhishard-earneddollar."I 'mafraid I ought tokeepmymoney for shoes. I 'vewalked the solesofftheseto-day,andcan'tgotoschoolbarefooted,"hesaid,bravelytryingtoputthetemptationofskatesbehindhim."We'vegotagooddinnerwithoutaturkey,andperhapswe 'dbetternotgetit," addedKitty,witha sigh, as she surveyed the table, and remembered theblueknithoodmarkedseventy-fivecentsthatshesawinashop-window."Oh,wemusthaveaturkey!weworkedsohardforit,andit'ssoChristmasy,"criedSam,whoalwaysfeltthatpleasantthingsoughttohappen."Musthaveturty,"echoedthebabies,astheyeyedthedollstenderly."Youshallhaveaturkey,andthereheis,"saidanunexpectedvoice,asanoblebird fell upon the table, and lay therekickinguphis legs as if enjoying thesurpriseimmensely.It was father's voice, and there stood father, neither cross nor stupid, butlooking as he used to look, kind and happy, and beside him was mother,smilingastheyhadnotseenhersmileformonths.Itwasnotbecausetheworkwaswellpaidfor,andmorepromised,butbecauseshehadreceivedagiftthatmade the world bright, a home happy again,--father's promise to drink nomore."I'vebeenworkingto-dayaswellasyou,andyoumaykeepyourmoneyforyourselves. There are shoes for all; and never again, please God, shall mychildrenbeashamedofme,orwantadinnerChristmasDay."Asfathersaidthiswithachokeinhisvoice,andmother'sheadwentdownon

his shoulder tohide thehappy tears thatwethercheeks, thechildrendidn'tknowwhether to laugh or cry, tillKitty,with the instinct of a loving heart,settled the question by saying, as she held out her hands, "We have n't anytree,solet'sdancearoundourgoodiesandbemerry."Thenthetiredfeetintheoldshoesforgottheirweariness,andfivehappylittlesouls skipped gayly round the table,where, in themidst of all the treasuresearnedandgiven,father'sChristmasturkeyproudlylayinstate.

III.THESILVERPARTY.

"Such a longmorning! Seems as if dinner-timewould never come!" sighedTony, as hewandered into the dining-room for a third pick at the nuts andraisinstobeguilehiswearinesswithalittlemischief.ItwasThanksgivingDay.Allthefamilywereatchurch,alltheservantsbusypreparingforthegreatdinner;andsopoorTony,whohadacold,hadnotonlytostayathome,buttoamusehimselfwhiletherestsaidtheirprayers,madecalls, or took a briskwalk to get an appetite. If he hadbeen allowed in thekitchen,hewouldhavebeenquitehappy;butcookwasbusyandcross,andrappedhimontheheadwithapokerwhenheventurednearthedoor.Peepingthroughtheslidewasalsoforbidden,andJohn, theman,bribedhimwithanorangetokeepoutofthewaytillthetablewasset.Thatwasnowdone.Thedining-roomwasemptyandquiet,andpoorTonylaydownonthesofatoeathisnutsandadmirethefinesightbeforehim.Allthebestdamask,china,glass,andsilverwassetforthwithgreatcare.Abasketofflowershungfromthechandelier,and thesideboardwasbeautiful tobeholdwithpiled-upfruit,dishesofcake,andmany-coloredfinger-bowlsandglasses."That'sallverynice,buttheeatingpartiswhatIcarefor.Don'tbelieveI'llgetmyshare to-day,becausemammafoundoutabout thishorridcold.Afellowcan't help sneezing, though he can hide a sore throat.Oh, hum! nearly twomorehourstowait;"andwithalongsighTonyclosedhiseyesforaluxuriousyawn.Whenheopenedthem,thestrangesighthebeheldkepthimstaringwithoutathoughtofsleep.Thebigsoup-ladlestoodstraightupattheheadofthetablewith a face plainly to be seen in the bright bowl. It was a very heavy,handsome old ladle, so the facewas old, but round and jolly; and the longhandlestoodveryerect,likeatallthingentlemanwithabighead."Well,uponmywordthat'squeer!"saidTony,sittingupalso,andwondering

whatwouldhappennext.To his great amazement the ladle began to address the assembled forks andspoonsinasilverytoneverypleasanttohear:--"Ladiesandgentlemen,atthisfestiveseasonitisproperthatweshouldenjoyourselves.Asweshallbetiredafterdinner,wewillatoncebeginoursportsbyagrandpromenade.Takepartnersandfallin!"At thesewordsageneraluprising tookplace;andbeforeTonycouldgethisbreath a long procession of forks and spoons stood ready.The finger-bowlsstruckupanairytuneasifinvisiblewetfingersweremakingmusicontheirrims,and ledby thestately ladle likeadrum-major, thegrandmarchbegan.The forks were the gentlemen, tall, slender, and with a fine curve to theirbacks; the spoons were the ladies, with full skirts, and the scallops on thehandles stood up like silver combs; the large ones were the mammas, theteaspoonsweretheyoungladies,andthelittlesaltsthechildren.Itwassweettoseethesmall thingswalkat theendoftheprocession,withthetwosilverrestsforthecarvingknifeandforktrottingbehindlikepetdogs.Themustard-spoon and pickle-forkwent together, and quarrelled all theway, both beinghot-tempered and sharp-tongued.The steel knives looked on, for thiswas averyaristocraticparty,andonlythesilverpeoplecouldjoininit."Here'sfun!"thoughtTony,staringwithallhismight,andsomuchinterestedinthisremarkablestateofthingsthatheforgothungerandtimealtogether.Roundandroundwenttheglitteringtrain,tothesoftmusicofthemany-tonedfinger-bowls,tillthreeturnsaboutthelongovaltablehadbeenmade;thenallfellintolineforacontradance,asinthegoodoldtimesbeforeeveryonetooktospinningliketops.GrandpaLadleledoffwithhisoldestdaughter,MadamGravyLadle,andthelittlesaltsstoodatthebottomprancinglikerealchildrenimpatient for their turn.When it came, they went down the middle in finestyle,withacling!clang!thatmadeTony'slegsquiverwithalongingtojoinin.Itwasbeautifultoseetheolderonestwirlroundinastatelyway,withbowsandcourtesiesattheend,whiletheteaspoonsandsmallforksrompedagooddeal,andMr.PickleandMissMustardkepteveryonelaughingattheirsmartspeeches.Thesilverbutter-knife,whowasaninvalid,havingbrokenherbackandbeenmended,layintherackandsmiledsweetlydownuponherfriends,whilethelittleCupidonthelidofthebutter-dishpirouettedononetoeinthemostdelightfulmanner.When every one had gone through the dance, the napkinswere arranged assofasandthespoonsrested,whilethepoliteforksbroughtsprigsofcelerytofan themwith.The little saltsgot intograndpa's lap;and thesilverdogs laydown panting, for they had frisked with the children. They all talked; and

Tonycouldnothelpwondering if real ladiessaidsuch thingswhen theyputtheirheadstogetherandnoddedandwhispered,forsomeoftheremarkswereso personal that hewasmuch confused. Fortunately they took no notice ofhim,sohelistenedandlearnedsomethinginthisqueerway."I have been in this family a hundred years," began the soup-ladle; "and itseems tome thateachgeneration isworst than the last.Myfirstmasterwaspunctualtoaminute,andmadamwasalwaysdownbeforehandtoseethatallwasready.Nowmastercomesatallhours;mistressletstheservantsdoastheylike; and themannersof thechildrenareverybad.Sad stateof things,verysad!""Dear me, yes!" sighed one of the large spoons; "we don't see such nicehousekeepingnowaswedidwhenwewereyoung.Girlsweretaughtallaboutit then;butnow it isallbooksorparties, and fewof themknowaskimmerfromagridiron.""Well, I 'msure thepoor thingsaremuchhappier than if theyweremessingaboutinkitchensasgirlsusedtodoinyourday.Itismuchbetterforthemtobedancing,skating,andstudyingthanwastingtheiryounglivesdarningandpreserving,andsittingbytheirmammasasprimasdishes.Ipreferthepresentwayofdoingthings,thoughthegirlsinthisfamilydosituptoolate,andweartoohighheelstotheirboots."The mustard-spoon spoke in a pert tone, and the pickle-fork answeredsharply,--"I agreewith you, cousin.The boys also sit up too late. I 'm tired of beingwakedtofishoutolivesorpicklesforthosefellowswhentheycomeinfromthe theatre or some dance; and as for that Tony, he is a real pig,--eatseverythinghecanlayhandson,andisthetormentofthemaid'slife.""Yes,"criedonelittlesalt-spoon,"wesawhimstealcakeoutofthesideboard,andhenevertoldwhenhismotherscoldedNorah.""Somean!"addedtheother;andboththeroundfacesweresofullofdisgustthatTonyfell flatandshuthiseyesas ifasleep tohidehisconfusion.Someonelaughed;buthedarednotlook,andlayblushingandlisteningtoremarkswhichplainlyprovedhowcarefulwe shouldbeofour acts andwords evenwhenalone,forwhoknowswhatapparentlydumbthingmaybewatchingus."IhaveobservedthatMr.Murryreadsthepaperattableinsteadoftalkingtohis family; thatMrs.Murryworries about the servants; the girls gossip andgiggle;theboyseat,andplagueoneanother;andthatsmallchildNellyteasesforallshesees,andisneverquiettillshegetsthesugar-bowl,"saidGrandpaLadle,inatoneofregret."Now,usefulandpleasantchatattablewouldmakemealsdelightful,insteadofbeingscenesofconfusionanddiscomfort."

"I bite their tongueswhen I get a chance, hoping tomake themwitty or tocheckunkindwords;buttheyonlysputter,andgetalecturefromAuntMaria,whoisasouroldspinster,alwayscriticisingherneighbors."'As the mustard-spoon spoke, the teaspoons laughed as if they thought herratherlikeAuntMariainthatrespect."I gave the baby a fit of colic to teach her to let pickles alone, but no onethankedme,"saidthepickle-fork."Perhaps ifwekeepourselves sobright that thosewhouseus can see theirfaces inus,weshallbeable tohelp thema little; fornoone likes toseeanuglyfaceoradullspoon.Theartofchangingfrownstosmilesisneverold-fashioned; and lovely manners smooth away the little worries of lifebeautifully." A silvery voice spoke, and all looked respectfully at MadamGravyLadle,whowasaveryfineoldspoon,withacoatofarmsonit,andapolishthatallenvied."People can't always be rememberinghowold andvaluable andbright theyare. Here in America we just go ahead and make manners and money forourselves.Idon'tstoptoaskwhatdishI'mgoingtohelpto;IjustpitchinandtakeallIcanhold,anddon'tcareabitwhetherIshineornot.Mygrandfatherwasakitchenspoon;butI'msmarter thanhewas, thankstomyplating,andlookandfeelasgoodasanyone, thoughIhaven'tgotstags'headsandbiglettersonmyhandle."Nooneansweredtheseimpertinentremarksofthesauce-spoon,forallknewthat she was not pure silver, and was only used on occasions when manyspoonswereneeded.Tonywasashamed tohearher talk in that rudeway tothefineoldsilverhewassoproudof,andresolvedhe'dgivethesaucyspoonagoodrapwhenhehelpedhimselftothecranberry.Animpressivesilence lasted tilla livelyforkexclaimed,as theclockstruck,"Everyoneiscoastingout-of-doors.Whynothaveourshareofthefuninside?Itisveryfashionablethiswinter,andladiesandgentlemenofthebestfamiliesdoit,Iassureyou.""Wewill!"criedtheotherforks;andasthedowagersdidnotobject,allfelltoworktoarrangethetableforthisagreeablesport.Tonysatuptoseehowtheywouldmanage,andwasastonishedattheingenuityofthesilverpeople.Withagreatclinkingandrattlingtheyrantoandfro,draggingthestiffwhitematsabout; the largest they leanedupagainst the tallcaster,and laid therest inalong slope to the edge of the table, where a pile of napkins made a nicesnowdrifttotumbleinto."Whatwill they do for sleds?" thoughtTony; and the nextminute chuckledwhenhesawthemtaketheslicesofbreadlaidateachplace,pileon,andspinaway,withagreatscatteringofcrumbslikesnowflakes,andmuchlaughteras

theylandedinthewhitepileattheendofthecoast."Won'tJohngiveitto'emifhecomesinandcatches'emturninghisnicetabletopsy-turvy!"saidtheboytohimself,hopingnothingwouldhappentoendthisjollyfrolic.Sohekeptverystill,andwatchedthegayforksandspoonsclimbup andwhiz down till theywere tired. The little salts got BabyNell's ownsmall slice, andhad lovely timesona short coastof theirownmadeofonematheldupbygrandpa,whosmiledbenevolentlyatthefun,beingtoooldandheavytojoininit.Theykeptitupuntilthesliceswerewornthin,andoneortwoupsetsalarmedthe ladies; then they rested and conversed again.Themammas talked abouttheirchildren,howsadlythesilverbasketneededanewlining,andwhattherewas to be for dinner. The teaspoons whispered sweetly together, as youngladiesdo,--onedeclaringthatrougepowderwasnotasgoodasitusedtobe,anotherlamentingthesadeffectofeggsuponhercomplexion,andallsmiledamiablyupontheforks,whostoodaboutdiscussingwinesandcigars,forbothlivedinthesideboard,andwerebroughtoutafterdinner,sotheforksknewagreat deal about such matters, and found them very interesting, as allgentlemenseemtodo.Presently someonementionedbicycles, andwhat fine rides theboysof thefamilytoldabout.Theotherfellowsproposedarace;andbeforeTonycouldgrasp the possibility of such a thing, it was done. Nothing easier, for therestood a pile of plates, and just turning them on their edges, the forks gotastride,andthebigwheelsspunawayasifawholebicycleclubhadsuddenlyarrived.Old Pickle took the baby's plate, as better suited to his size. The little saltsmade a tricycle of napkin-rings, and rode gayly off, with the dogs barkingafter them. Even the carving-fork, though not invited, could not resist theexcitingsport,andtippingupthewoodenbread-platter,wentwhizzingoffatagreatpace,forhistwoprongswerebetterthanfour,andhiswheelwaslighterthan the china ones. Grand-papa Ladle cheered them on, like a fine oldgentlemanashewas,forthoughthenewcrazeratherastonishedhim,helikedmanlysports,andwouldhavetakenaturnifhisdignityandagehadallowed.Theladieschimedtheirapplause,foritreallywasimmenselyexcitingtoseefourteen plateswith forks astride racing round the large tablewith cries of,"Goit,Pickle!Now,then,Prongs!Steady,Silver-top!Hurrahforthetwins!"ThefunwasatitsheightwhenyoungProngsranagainstPickle,whodidnotsteerwell,andbothwentoffthetablewithacrash.Allstoppedatonce,andcrowdedtotheedgetoseewhowaskilled.Theplateslayinpieces,oldPicklehadabend inhisback thatmadehimgroandismally,andProngshadfallendowntheregister.

Wailsofdespairaroseatthatawfulsight,forhewasafavoritewitheveryone,andsuchatragicdeathwastoomuchforsomeofthetender-heartedspoons,whofaintedattheideaofthatgallantfork'sdestructioninwhattothemwasafieryvolcano."ServesPickleright!Heoughttoknowhewastoooldforsuchwildgames,"scoldedMissMustard,peeringanxiouslyoveratherfriend,fortheywerefondofoneanotherinspiteoftheirtiffs."Nowletusseewhatthesefinefolkswilldowhentheygetoffthedamaskandcometogrief.Ahelplesslot,Ifancy,andthosefellowsdeservewhatthey'vegot,"saidthesauce-spoon,nearlyupsettingthetwinsassheelbowedherwaytothefronttojeeroverthefallen."I think you will see that gentle people are as brave as those whomake anoise," answeredMadamGravy, and leaning over the edge of the table sheaddedinhersweetvoice,"DearMr.Pickle,wewillletdownanapkinandpullyouupifyouhavestrengthtotakehold.""Pull away,ma'am," groanedPickle,whowell deserved his name just then,andsoon,thankstoMadam'spresenceofmind,hewassafelylaidonapileofmats,whileMissMustardputaplasteronhisinjuredback.MeanwhilebraveGrandpapaLadlehadslippedfromthetabletoachair,andsotothefloorwithouttoogreatajartohisagedframe;thenslidingalongthecarpet, he reached the register. Peering down that dark, hot abyss he cried,whilealllistenedbreathlesslyforareply,"Prongs,myboy,areyouthere?""Ay,ay,sir;I'mcaughtinthewirescreen.Asksomeofthefellowstolendahandandgetmeoutbefore I 'mmelted,"answered the fork,withagaspofagony.InstantlythelonghandleofthepatriarchalLadlewasputdowntohisrescue,andafteramomentofsuspense,whileProngscaughtfirmlyhold,uphecame,hot and dusty, but otherwise unharmed by that dreadful fall.Cheers greetedthem,andeveryonelentahandatthenapkinastheywerehoistedtothetabletobeembracedbytheirjoyfulrelativesandfriends."Whatdidyouthinkaboutdowninthathorridplace?"askedoneofthetwins."IthoughtofastoryIonceheardmastertell,aboutachildwhowasfoundonecoldday sittingwithhis feet on anewspaper, andwhenaskedwhathewasdoing,answered, 'Warmingmyfeeton the"ChristianRegister."' IhopedmyregisterwouldbeChristianenoughnottomeltmebeforehelpcame.Ha!ha!Seethejoke,mydears?"andProngslaughedasgaylyasifheneverhadtakenaheaderintoavolcano."What did you see down there?" asked the other twin, curious, as all smallpeopleare.

"Lotsofdustandpins,adoll'sheadbabyputthere,Norah'sthimble,andthebig redmarble that boyTonywas raging about the other day. It's a regularcatch-all,andshowshowtheworkisshirkedinthishouse,"answeredProngs,stretchinghislegs,whichwerealittledamagedbythefall."Whatshallwedoabouttheplates?"askedPickle,fromhisbed."Letthemlie,forwecan'tmendthem.Johnwillthinktheboybrokethem,andhe'llgetpunished,ashedeserves,forhebrokeatumbleryesterday,andputitslylyintheash-barrel,"saidMissMustard,spitefully."Oh! I say, that'smean," began Tony; but no one listened, and in aminuteProngsansweredbravely,--"I 'magentleman,andIdon'tletotherpeopletaketheblameofmyscrapes.Tonyhasenoughofhisowntoanswerfor.""I'llhave thatbent fork formine, andmakeJohnkeep it asbrightasanewdollar to pay for this. Prongs is a trump, and I wish I could tell him so,"thoughtTony,muchgratifiedatthishandsomebehavior."Right, grandson. I am pleased with you; but allowme to suggest that theChineseMandarin on the chimney-piece be politely requested to mend theplates.Hecandothatsortofthingnicely,andwillbecharmedtoobligeus,Iamsure."Grandpapa's suggestionwasagoodone;andYamKiLoconsentedatonce,skippedtothefloor,tappedthebitsofchinawithhisfan,andinthetwinklingofaneyewasbackonhisperch,leavingtwowholeplatesbehindhim,forhewasawizard,andknewallaboutbluechina.Justas thesilverpeoplewererejoicingover thisfineescapefromdiscovery,the clock struck, a bell rang, voices were heard upstairs, and it was veryevidentthatthefamilyhadarrived.Atthesesoundsagreatflurryaroseinthedining-room, as every spoon, fork, plate, and napkin flewback to its place.Picklerushedtothejar,andplungedinheadfirst,regardlessofhisback;MissMustardretiredtothecaster;thetwinsscrambledintothesalt-cellar;andthesilverdogs laydownby thecarvingknifeand forkasquietlyas if theyhadnever stirred a leg; Grandpapa slowly reposed in his usual place; Madamfollowed his example with dignity; the teaspoons climbed into the holder,utteringlittlecriesofalarm;andProngsstayedtohelpthemtillhehadbarelytimetodropdownatTony'splace,andlietherewithhisbentlegintheair,theonlysignofthegreatfall,aboutwhichhetalkedforalongtimeafterward.Allwasinorderbutthesauce-spoon,whohadstoppedtolaughattheMandarintillitwastoolatetogettohercorner;andbeforeshecouldfindanyplaceofconcealment, John came in and caught her lying in themiddle of the table,lookingverycommonandshabbyamongallthebrightsilver.

"Whatintheworldisthatoldplatedthingherefor?MissistoldNorahtoputitin thekitchen,as shehadanewone forapresent to-day--real silver--sooutyougo;" andashe spoke, John threw the spoon through the slide,--an exileforevermorefromthegoodsocietywhichshedidnotvalueassheshould.TonysawtheglimmerofasmileinGrand-papaLadle'sface,butitwasgonelikeaflash,andbythetimetheboyreachedthetablenothingwastobeseeninthesilverbowlbuthisownroundrosycountenance,fullofwonder."Idon'tthinkanyonewillbelievewhatI'veseen,butImeantotell,itwassoverycurious,"hesaid,ashesurveyedthesceneofthelatefrolic,nowsoneatandquietthatnotawrinkleoracrumbbetrayedwhatlarkshadbeengoingon.Hastily fishinguphis long-lostmarble, thedoll'shead,andNorah's thimble,hewentthoughtfullyupstairstowelcomehiscousins,stillmuchabsorbedbythisverysingularaffair.Dinnerwassoonannounced;andwhileitlastedeveryonewastoobusyeatingthe good things before them to observe how quiet the usually riotous Tonywas.Hisappetiteforturkeyandcranberriesseemedtohavelostitssharpedge,and the mince-pie must have felt itself sadly slighted by his lack ofappreciationofitssubstanceandflavor.Heseemedinabrown-study,andkeptstaring about as if he sawmore thanother peopledid.He examinedNelly'splate as if looking for a crack, smiled at the little spoonwhen he took salt,refusedpicklesandmustardwithafrown,keptacertainbentforkbyhimaslongaspossible,andtriedtomakemusicwithawetfingerontherimofhisbowlatdessert.But in the evening, when the young people sat around the fire, he amusedthembytellingthequeerstoryofthesilverparty;butheverywiselyleftoutthe remarksmade upon himself and family, remembering how disagreeablethe sauce-spoon had seemed, and he privately resolved to follow MadamGravyLadle'sadvicetokeephisownfacebright,mannerspolite,andspeechkindly, that he might prove himself to be pure silver, and be stamped agentleman.

IV.THEBLINDLARK.

Highupinanoldhouse,fullofpoorpeople,livedLizzie,withhermotherandBaby Billy. The street was a narrow, noisy place, where carts rumbled anddirty children played; where the sun seldom shone, the fresh wind seldomblew,andthewhitesnowofwinterwasturnedatoncetoblackmud.OnebareroomwasLizzie'shome,andoutofitsheseldomwent,forshewasaprisoner.

Weallpitythepoorprincesseswhowereshutupintowersbybadfairies,themenandwomeninjails,andthelittlebirdsincages,butLizziewasasadderprisonerthananyofthese.Theprincealwayscomestothecaptiveprincess,thejaildoorsopenintime,andthebirdsfindsomekindhandtosetthemfree;butthereseemednohopeofescapeforthispoorchild.Onlynineyearsold,andcondemnedtolife-longhelplessness,loneliness,anddarkness,--forshewasblind.Shecoulddimlyrememberthebluesky,greenearth,andbeautifulsun;forthelight went out when she was six, and the cruel fever left her a pale littleshadowtohauntthatroomeversince.Thefatherwasdead;themotherworkedhardfordailybread;theyhadnofriends;andthegoodfairiesseemedtohaveforgottenthem.Still,likethelarksoneseesinBrittany,whoseeyescruelboysputoutthattheymaysingthesweeter,Lizziemademusicinhercage,singingtobaby;andwhenheslept,shesatbythewindowlisteningtothenoisebelowfor company, crooning toherself till she too fell asleep and forgot the long,longdaysthathadnoplay,noschool,nochangeforhersuchasotherchildrenknow.Everymorningmother gave them their porridge, locked the door, andwentawaytowork,leavingsomethingforthechildren'sdinner,andLizzietotakecareofherselfandBillytillnight.Therewasnootherway,forbothweretoohelplesstobetrustedelsewhere,andtherewasnoonetolookafterthem.ButLizzieknewherwayabouttheroom,andcouldfindthebed,thewindow,andthe tablewhere thebread andmilk stood.Therewas seldomany fire in thestove,and thewindowwasbarred, so the littleprisonersweresafe;anddayafterday they lived togetherasad,solitary,unchildlike life thatmakesone'sheartachetothinkof.LizziewatchedoverBillylikeafaithfullittlemother,andBillydidhisbesttobear his trials and comfort sister like a man. He was not a rosy, rollickingfellow, likemost year-old boys, but pale and thin and quiet,with a patheticlook inhisbigblueeyes,as ifhesaid,"Something iswrong;willsomeonekindly put it right for us?" But he seldom complained unless in pain, andwould lie for hours on the old bed,watching the flies,whichwere his onlyotherplaymates,stretchingouthislittlehandstothefewraysofsunshinethatcreptinnowandthen,asiflongingforthem,likeaflowerinacellar.WhenLizzie sang, he hummed softly; andwhen hewas hungry, cold, or tired, hecalled,"Lib!Lib!"meaning"Lizzie,"andnestleduptoher,forgettingallhisbabywoesinhertenderarms.Seeinghersofondandfaithful,thepoorneighborslovedaswellaspitiedher,anddidwhattheycouldfortheafflictedchild.Thebusywomenwouldpauseat the locked door to ask if all was right; the dirty children brought herdandelions from the park; and the rough workmen of the factory opposite,

with a kindword,would toss an apple or a cake through the openwindow.Theyhadlearnedtolookforthelittlewistfulfacebehindthebars,andlovedtolistento thechildishvoicewhichcaughtandimitatedthesongstheysangandwhistled,likeasweetecho.Theycalledher"theblindlark;"andthoughsheneverknewit,manywerethebetterforthepitytheygaveher.Baby slept a great deal, for life offered him fewpleasures, and like a smallphilosopher,hewiselytriedtoforgetthetroubleswhichhecouldnotcure;soLizziehadnothingtodobutsing,andtry to imaginehowtheworld looked.Shehadnoone to tellher,and thefewmemoriesgrewdimmeranddimmereachyear.Shedidnotknowhowtoworkortoplay,neverhavingbeentaught,andmotherwastootiredatnighttodoanythingbutgetsupperandgotobed."The child will be an idiot soon, if she does not die," people said; and itseemedasifthiswouldbethefateofthepoorlittlegirl,sincenoonecametosaveherduring those threewearyyears.Sheoften said, "I'mof someuse. ItakecareofBilly,andIcouldn'tlivewithouthim."Buteventhisdutyanddelightwastakenfromher,forthatcoldspringnippedthepoorlittleflower,andonedayBillyshuthisblueeyeswithapatientsighandleftherallalone.ThenLizzie'sheartseemedbroken;andpeoplethoughtshewouldsoonfollowhim,now thatheronecare andcomfortwasgone.Allday she laywithhercheekonBilly'spillow,holdingthebatteredtincupandalittleworn-outshoe,anditwaspitiful tohearhersingtheoldlullabiesas ifbabystillcouldhearthem."Itwillbeamercyifthepoorthingdoesn'tlive;blindfolksarenouseandasightoftrouble,"saidonewomantoanotherastheygossipedinthehallaftercalling on the child during her mother's absence, for the door was leftunlockedsinceshewasill."Yes,Mrs. Davis would get on nicely if she had n't such a burden. ThankHeaven, my children are n't blind," answered the other, hugging her babycloserasshewentaway.Lizzieheardthem,andhopedwithallhersadlittlesoulthatdeathwouldsetherfree,sinceshewasofnouseintheworld.TogoandbewithBillywasallher desire now, and shewas on herway to him, growing dailyweaker andmore content to be dreaming of dear babywell and happy, waiting for hersomewhereinalovelyplacecalledheaven.The summer vacation came; and hundreds of eager children were hurryingaway to the mountains and seashore for two months of healthful pleasure.Eventhedirtychildreninthelanefelttheapproachofberry-time,andrejoicedintheirfreedomfromcoldastheyswarmedlikefliesaboutthecornergrocerywhereover-ripefruitwasthrownoutforthemtoscrambleover.

Lizzie heard about good times when some of these young neighbors werechosen to go on the poor children's picnics, and came back with bigsandwiches buttoned up in their jackets, pickles, peanuts, and buns in theirpockets,handsfulloffadedflowers,andheartsbrimmingoverwithchildishdelight at a day in the woods. She listened with a faint smile, enjoyed the"woodsy"smellofthegreenthings,andwonderediftheyhadnicepicnicsinheaven,beingsorrythatBillyhadmissedthemhere.Butshedidnotseemtocaremuch,orhopeforanypleasureforherselfexcepttoseebabyagain.I think there were few sadder sights in that great city than this innocentprisonerwaitingsopatientlytobesetfree.Woulditbebythegentleangelofdeath,oroneofthehumanangelswhokeeptheselittlesparrowsfromfallingtotheground?OnehotAugustday,whennotabreathcameintotheroom,andthedustandnoise and evil smells were almost unendurable, poor Lizzie lay on her bedsingingfeeblytoherselfabout"thebeautifulbluesea."Shewastryingtogetto sleep that she might dream of a cool place, and her voice was growingfainterandfainter,whensuddenlyitseemedasif thedreamhadcome,forasweetodorwasnear, somethingdampandfresh touchedher feverishcheek,andakindvoicesaidinherear,--"Here is the little bird I 've been following. Will you have some flowers,dear?""Is it heaven? Where's Billy?" murmured Lizzie, groping about her, halfawake."Notyet.I'mnotBilly,butafriendwhocarriesflowerstolittlechildrenwhocannotgoandgetthem.Don'tbeafraid,butletmesitandtellyouaboutit,"answeredthevoice,asagentlehandtookhers."IthoughtmaybeI'ddied,andIwasglad,forIdowanttoseeBillysomuch.He's baby, you know."And the clinging hands held the kind one fast till itfilledthemwithagreatbunchofrosesthatseemedtobringallsummerintotheclose,hotroomwiththeirsweetness."Oh,hownice!hownice!Ineverhadsuchalot.They'rebigger 'n'better 'ndandelions, aren't they?Whatagood ladyyoumustbe togo 'roundgivingfolksposieslikethese!"criedLizzie,tryingtorealizetheastonishingfact.Then,while thenew friend fannedher, she lay luxuriating inher roses, andlistening to the sweet story of the Flower Mission which, like many otherpleasantthings,sheknewnothingofinherprison.Presentlyshetoldherownlittletale,neverguessinghowpatheticitwas,tillliftingherhandtotouchthenewface,shefounditwetwithtears."Areyousorry forme?"sheasked."Folksareverykind,but I 'maburden,

youknow, and I 'd better die andgo toBilly; Iwas someuse tohim,but Inevercanbe toanyoneelse. Iheard 'emsayso,andpoormotherwoulddobetterifIwasn'there.""Mychild,Iknowalittleblindgirlwhoisnoburdenbutagreathelptohermother,andahappy,usefulcreature,asyoumightbeifyouweretaughtandhelpedasshewas,"wenton thevoice,soundingmore thanever likeagoodfairy'sasittoldfreshwonderstillLizziewassureitmustbealladream."Whotaughther?CouldIdoit?Where'stheplace?"sheasked,sittingerectinhereagerness,likeabirdthathearsahandatthedoorofitscage.Then,withthecomfortablearmaroundher, therosesstirringwiththeflutterofherheart,andthesightlesseyeslookingupasiftheycouldseethefaceofthedeliverer,LizzieheardthewonderfulstoryoftheHouseBeautifulstandingwhite and spacious on the hill, with the blue sea before it, the fresh windalways blowing, the green gardens and parks all about, and inside, music,happy voices, shining faces, busy hands, and year after year the patientteachingbythosewhodedicatethemselvestothisnobleandtendertask."It must be better'n heaven!" cried Lizzie, as she heard of work and play,healthandhappiness,loveandcompanionship,usefulnessandindependence,--all the dear rights and simple joys young creatures hunger for, and perish,soulandbody,without.Itwas toomuch for her littlemind to grasp at once, and she lay as if in ablissfuldreamlongafter thekindvisitorhadgone,promising tocomeagainandtofindsomewayforLizzietoenterintothatlovelyplacewheredarknessischangedtolight.Thatvisitwaslikemagicmedicine,andthechildgrewbetteratonce,forhopewas born in her heart. The heavy gloom seemed to lift; discomforts wereeasier to bear; and solitudewas peopled nowwith troops of happy childrenlivinginthatwonderfulplacewhereblindnesswasnotaburden.Shetolditalltohermother,andthepoorwomantriedtobelieveit,butsaidsadly,--"Don'tsetyourheartonit,child.It'seasytopromiseandtoforget.Richfolksdon'ttroublethemselvesaboutpoorfolksiftheycanhelpit."ButLizzie'sfaithneverwavered,thoughtherosesfadedasdayafterdaywentby and no one came. The mere thought that it was possible to teach blindpeople toworkandstudyandplayseemedtogiveherstrengthandcourage.Shegotupandsatatthewindowagain,singingtoherselfasshewatchedandwaited,withthedeadflowerscarefullyarrangedinBilly'smug,andahopefulsmileonthelittlewhitefacebehindthebars.Everyonewasgladshewasbetter,andnoddedtooneanotherastheyheardthe soft crooning, like a dove's coo, in thepauses of theharsher noises that

filled the street.Theworkmen tossedher sweeties andwhistled their gayestairs;thechildrenbroughttheirdilapidatedtoystoamuseher;andonewomancameeverydaytoputherbabyinLizzie'slap,itwassuchapleasuretohertofeelthesoftlittlebodyinthelovingarmsthatlongedforBilly.Poormotherwenttoherworkinbetterspirits,andthelonghotdayswerelessoppressive as she thought, while she scrubbed, of Lizzie up again; for shelovedherhelplessburden,heavythoughshefoundit.WhenSaturdaycamearound,itrainedhard,andnooneexpected"theflowerlady."EvenLizziesaidwithapatientsighandahopefulsmile,--"Idon'tbelieveshe'llcome;butmaybeitwillclearup,andthenIguessshewill."Itdidnotclearup,buttheflowerladycame;andasthechildsatlisteningtothewelcomesoundofhersteps,herquickearcaughtthetreadoftwopairsoffeet,thewhisperoftwovoices,andpresentlytwopersonscameintofillherhandswithmidsummerflowers."ThisisMinna,thelittlegirlItoldyouof.Shewantedtoseeyouverymuch,sowepaddledawaylikeapairofducks,andhereweare,"saidMissGrace,gayly;andasshespoke,Lizziefeltsoftfingersglideoverherface,andapairof childish lips find and kiss her own. The groping touch, the hearty kiss,made the blind children friends at once, and dropping her flowers, Lizziehugged the new-comer, trembling with excitement and delight. Then theytalked; and how the tongues went as one asked questions and the otheransweredthem,whileMissGracesatbyenjoyingthehappinessofthosewhodonotforgetthepoor,butseekthemouttosaveandbless.Minnahadbeenforayearapupilinthehappyschool,whereshewastaughtto seewith her hands, as onemight say; and the tales she told of the goodtimestheremadeLizziecryeagerly,--"CanIgo?Oh,cango?""Alas,no,notyet,"answeredMissGrace,sadly."Ifindthatchildrenundertencannot be taken, and there is no place for the little ones unless kind peoplecareforthem."Lizziegaveawail,andhidherfaceinthepillow,feelingasifshecouldnotbearthedreadfuldisappointment.Minna comforted her, andMissGracewent on to say that generous peoplewere trying to get another school for the small children; that all the blindchildrenwereworkinghard tohelpon theplan; thatmoneywascoming in;andsoontheyhopedtohaveapleasantplaceforeverychildwhoneededhelp.Lizzie'stearsstoppedfallingasshelistened,forhopewasnotquitegone.

"I'llnotbetentillnextJune,andIdon'tseehowIcanwait'mostayear.Willthelittleschoolbeready'forethen?"sheasked."I fear not, dear, but I will see that the long waiting is made as easy aspossible, andperhapsyou canhelpus in someway," answeredMissGrace,anxioustoatoneforhermistakeinspeakingabouttheschoolbeforeshehadmadesurethatLizziecouldgo."Oh,I'dlovetohelp;onlyIcan'tdoanything,"sighedthechild."Youcansing,andthatisalovelywaytohelp.Iheardof 'theblindlark,'astheycallyou,andwhenIcametofindher,yourlittlevoiceledmestraighttothedoorofthecage.ThatdoorImeantoopen,andletyouhopoutintothesunshine;then,whenyouarewellandstrong,Ihopeyouwillhelpusgetthehome for other little childrenwhoelsemustwait years before they find thelight.Willyou?"As Miss Grace spoke, it was beautiful to see the clouds lift from Lizzie'swonderingface,tillitshonewiththesweetestbeautyanyfacecanwear,--thehappiness of helping others. She forgot her own disappointment in the newhopethatcame,andheldontothebedpostasifthesplendidplanwerealmosttoomuchforher."CouldIhelpthatway?"shecried."Wouldanybodycaretohearmesing?Oh,howI'dlovetodoanythingforthepoorlittleoneswhowillhavetowait.""Youshall. I 'm sure thehardestheartwouldbe touchedbyyour singing, ifyoulookasyoudonow.Weneedsomethingnewforourfairandconcert,andby that timeyouwillbeready,"saidMissGrace,almostafraidshehadsaidtoomuch;forthechildlookedsofrail,itseemedasifevenjoywouldhurther.Fortunately hermother came in just then; andwhile the lady talked to her,Minna'schildishchattersoothedLizziesowellthatwhentheyleftshestoodatthewindowsmilingdownatthemandsinginglikethehappiestbobolinkthatevertiltedonawillowbranchinspring-time.All the promiseswere kept, and soon a new life began for Lizzie.A betterroomandwell-paidworkwerefoundforMrs.Davis.Minnacameasoftenasshecouldtocheerupherlittlefriend,andbestofall,MissGracetaughthertosing, that by and by the little voicemight pleadwith its patheticmusic forotherslessblestthanshe.Sothewintermonthswentby,andLizziegrewlikemayflowers underneath the snow, getting ready to look up, sweet and rosy,whenspringsetherfreeandcalledhertobeglad.Shecountedthemonthsandweeks,andwhenthetimedwindledtodays,shecouldhardlysleeporeatforthinking of the happy hour when she could go to be a pupil in the schoolwheremiracleswereworked.Her birthday was in June, and thanks to Miss Grace, her coming was

celebratedbyoneoftheprettyfestivalsoftheschool,calledDaisyDay.Lizzieknewnothingofthissurprise,andwhenherfriendsledherupthelongflightofstepsshelookedlikeahappylittlesoulclimbingtothegatesofheaven.Mr.Constantine, the rulerof this smallkingdom,wasamanwhose fatherlyheart had room for every suffering child in the world, and it rejoiced overevery one who came, though the great house was overflowing, and manywaitedasLizziehaddone.Hewelcomedhersokindlythatthestrangeplaceseemedlikehomeatonce,andMinnaledherawaytothelittlemateswhoproudlyshowedhertheirsmallpossessions and filled her hands with the treasures children love, whilepouring intoher earsdelightful talesof the study,work, andplay thatmadetheirlivessohappy.Lizziewas bewildered, and held fast toMinna,whosemotherly care of herwassweet tosee.Kind teachersexplainedrulesanddutieswith thepatiencethatsoothesfearandwinslove;andsoonLizziebegantofeelthatshewasa"trulypupil"inthiswonderfulschoolwheretheblindcouldread,sew,study,sing,run,andplay.Boysracedalongthegalleriesandupanddownthestairsasboldlyasifallhadeyes;girlssweptanddustedliketidyhousewives;littlefellows hammered and sawed in the workshop and never hurt themselves;small girls sewed on pretty work as busy as bees; and in the schoolroomlessonswentonasifbothteachersandpupilswereblessedwitheyes.Lizziecouldnotunderstandit,andwascontenttositandlistenwherevershewasplaced,whileher little fingers fumbledat thenewobjectsnearher,andherhungrymindopened likea flower to thesun.Shehadno tasks thatday,andintheafternoonwasledawaywithaflockofchildren,allchatteringlikemagpies,onthegrandexpedition.Everyyear,whenthefieldswerewhitewithdaisies,thesepoorlittlesoulswereletlooseamongthemtoenjoytheholydayof this child's flower. Ah, but was n't it a pretty sight to see the meetingbetweenthem,whenthemeadowswerereached,andthechildrenscatteredfarandwidewithcriesofjoyastheyranandrolledinthewhitesea,orfilledtheireagerhands,orsoftlyfeltforthedeardaisiesandkissedthemlikeoldfriends?Theflowersseemedtoenjoyittoo,astheydancedandnodded,whilethewindrippled the longgrass likewavesofagreensea,and thesunsmiledas ifhesaid,--"Here'sthesortofthingIliketosee.Whydon'tIfindmoreofit?"Lizzie'sfacelookedlikeadaisy,itwassofulloflightasshestoodlookingup,withthewidebrimofhernewhatlikethewhitepetalsallroundit.Shedidnotrunnorshout,butwentslowlywadingthroughthegrass,feelingtheflowerstouchherhands,yetpickingnone,foritwashappinessenoughtoknowthattheywerethere.Presentlyshesatdownandletthemtaphercheeksandrustle

aboutherearsasthoughtellingsecretsthatmadehersmile.Then,asifwearywith somuchhappiness, she laybackand let thedaisieshideherwith theirprettycoverlet.MissGracewaswatchingoverher,but leftheralone, andbyandby, likealarkfromitsnestinthegrass,theblindgirlsentupherlittlevoice,singingsosweetlythatthechildrengatheredaroundtohear,whiletheymadechainsandtieduptheirnosegays.ThiswasLizzie'sfirstconcert,andnolittleprimadonnawasevermorepeltedwith flowers than she; forwhen shehad sung all her songs, newandold, adaisycrownwasputuponherhead,atallflowerforasceptreinherhand,andalltheboysandgirlsdancedaroundherasifshehadbeenQueenoftheMay.Alittlefeastcameoutofthebaskets,thattheymightbeemptyfortheharvesttobecarriedhome,andwhiletheyate,storiesweretoldandshoutsoflaughterfilledtheair,forallwereasmerryasiftherewasnodarkness,pain,orwantintheworld.Thentheyhadgames;andLizziewastaughttoplay,--fortillnowsheneverknewwhatagoodrompmeant.Hercheeksgrewrosy,hersadlittlefacewakedup,she ranand tumbledwith the rest,andactuallyscreamed, toMinna'sgreatdelight.Twoorthreeofthechildrencouldseealittle,andthesewereveryhelpfulintakingcareofthelittleones.MissGracefoundthemplayingsomegamewithLizzie,andobservedthatallbutshewereblindfolded.Whensheaskedwhy,onewhispered,"Wethoughtweshouldplayfairerifwewereallalike."Andanotheradded,"Itseemssomehowasifwewereproudifweseebetterthantherest."Lizziewasmuchtouchedbythissweetspirit,andalittlelatershowedthatshehad already learned one lesson in the school, when she gathered about hersomewhohadneverseen,andtold themwhatshecouldrememberofgreenfieldsanddaisy-ballsbeforethelightwentoutforever."Surely my little lark was worth saving, if only for this one happy day,"thoughtMissGrace,asshewatchedtheawakenedlookintheblindfaces,allleaningtowardthespeaker,whosechildishstorypleasedthemwell.In all her long and useful life, Lizzie never forgot that Daisy Day, for itseemed as if she were born anew, and like a butterfly had left the darkchrysalis allbehindher then. Itwas the firstpageof thebeautifulbook justopening before the eyes of her little mind,--a lovely page, illustrated withflowers,kindfaces,sunshine,andhappyhopes.Thenewlifewassofull,sofree, she soon fell intoher place and enjoyed it all. Peopleworked there soheartily, so helpfully, itwas nowonder thingswent as if bymagic, and thepoor little creatures who came in so afflicted went out in some yearsindependentpeople,readytohelpthemselvesandoftentobenefitothers.

ThereisnoneedtotellallLizzielearnedandenjoyedthatsummer,norhowproudhermotherwaswhensheheardherreadinthecuriousbooks,makingeyesofthelittlefingersthatfelttheirwayalongsofast;whenshesawtheneatstitchessheset,theprettyclaythingsshemodelled,thetidywayshewasheddishes, swept, and dusted, and helped keep her room in order.But the poorwoman'sheartwas too full forwordswhensheheard thechildsing,--notasbefore,inthedrearyroom,sad,softlullabiestoBilly,butbeautiful,gaysongs,with flutes and violins to lift and carry the little voice along on waves ofmusic.Lizzie really had a great gift; but shewasnever happier thanwhen they allsang together,orwhenshesatquietly listening to thebandas theypractisedfortheautumnconcert.Shewastohaveapartinit;andthethoughtthatshecouldhelp to earnmoney for theKindergartenmade the shychildbold andgladtodoherpart.Manypeopleknewhernow,forshewasverypretty,withthehealthful roses inher cheeks, curlyyellowhair, andgreatblueeyes thatseemedtosee.Hermatesandteacherswereproudofher,forthoughshewasnot as quick as some of the pupils, her sweet temper, grateful heart, andfriendlylittlewaysmadeherverydeartoall,asidefromthemusicaltalentshepossessed.Everyonewasbusyover the fair and theconcert; and fingers flew, tongueschattered,feettrotted,andheartsbeatfastwithhopeandfearasthetimedrewnear,forallwereeagertosecureahomeforthepoorchildrenstillwaitingindarkness.Itwasacharitywhichappealedtoallheartswhenitwasknown;butinthisbusyworldofours,peoplehavesomanycaresoftheirownthattheyareapttoforgetthewantsofothersunlesssomethingbringstheseneedsveryclearlybeforetheireyes.Muchmoneywasneeded,andmanywayshadbeentriedtoaddtothegrowingfund,thatallmightbewelldone."We wish to interest children in this charity for children, so that theymaygladly give a part of their abundance to these poor little souls who havenothing. I think Lizzie will sing some of the pennies out of their pockets,which would otherwise go for bonbons. Let us try; so make her neat andpretty,andwe'llhaveaspecialsongforher."Mr.Constantine said this; andMissGrace carried out hiswish sowell thatwhenthetimecame,thelittleprimadonnadidherpartbettereventhantheyhadhoped.Thesunshonesplendidlyontheopeningdayofthefair,andcarsandcarriagescamerollingoutfromthecity,fulloffriendlypeoplewithplumppursesandthesympatheticinterestwealltakeinsuchthingswhenwetaketimetosee,admire,andreproachourselvesthatwedosolittleforthem.Thereweremanychildren;andwhentheyhadboughttheprettyhandiworkof

theblindneedle-women, eaten cake and ices,wondered at the strangemapsandbooks, twirled thebigglobe in thehall, and tried tounderstandhowsomanyblindpeoplecouldbesobusyandsohappy,theyallwereseatedatlasttohear themusic, full of expectation, for "thepretty little girlwasgoing tosing."Itwasacharmingconcert,andeveryoneenjoyedit,thoughmanyeyesgrewdimastheywanderedfromthetallyouthsblowingthehornssosweetlytothesmalloneschirpingawaylikesomanysparrows,fortheblindfacesmadethesightpathetic,andsuchmusictouchedtheheartsasnoothermusiccan."Nowshe'scoming!"whisperedtheeagerchildren,asalittlegirlclimbedupthestepsandstoodbeforethem,waitingtobegin.A slender little creature in a blue gown,with sunshine falling on her prettyhair, apleading look in the soft eyes that hadno signofblindnessbut theirsteadfastness,andasmileon the lips that trembledat first, forLizzie'sheartbeat fast, andonly the thought, "I 'mhelping thepoor little ones," gavehercourageforhertask.But when the flutes and violins began to play like a whispering wind, sheforgotthecrowdbeforeher,andliftingupherface,sanginclearsweettones.THEBLINDLARK'SSONG.WearesittingintheshadowOfalongandlonelynight,WaitingtillsomegentleangelComestoleadustothelight;ForweknowthereisamagicThatcangiveeyestotheblind.Oh,well-filledhands,begenerous!Oh,pityinghearts,bekind!HelpstumblingfeetthatwanderTofindtheupwardway;TeachhandsthatnowlieidleThejoysofworkandplay.Letpity,love,andpatienceOurtenderteachersbe,Thatthoughtheeyesbeblinded,Thelittlesoulsmaysee.

Yourworldislargeandbeautiful,Ourprisondimandsmall;Westandandwait,imploring,"Istherenotroomforall?Giveusourchildren'sgarden,Wherewemaysafelybloom,ForgettinginGod'ssunshineOurlotofgriefandgloom."Alittlevoicecomessinging;Oh,listentoitssong!AlittlechildispleadingForthosewhosufferwrong.GrantthemthepatientmagicThatgiveseyestotheblind!Oh,well-filledhands,begenerous!Oh,pityinghearts,bekind!Itwasaverysimplelittlesong,butitprovedwonderfullyeffective,forLizziewas so carried away by her own feeling that as she sang the last lines shestretched out her hands imploringly, and two great tears rolled down hercheeks.Foraminutemanyhandsweretoobusyfumblingforhandkerchiefstoclap,but thechildrenwerequick toanswer thatgestureand those tears;andone impetuous little lad tossed a small purse containinghis last ten cents atLizzie'sfeet,thefirstcontributionwonbyherinnocentappeal.Thentherewasgreatapplause,andmanyoftheflowersjustboughtwerethrowntothelittlelark,whowasobligedtocomebackandsingagainandagain,smilingbrightlyasshedroppedprettycourtesies,andsangsongaftersongwithalltheaddedsweetnessofagratefulheart.Hidden behind the organ, Miss Grace and Mr. Constantine shook handsjoyfully,forthiswasthesortofinteresttheywanted,andtheyknewthatwhilethechildrenclappedand threwflowers, thewet-eyedmotherswere thinkingself-reproachfully, "I must help this lovely charity," and the stout oldgentlemenwhopoundedwiththeircaneswereresolvingtogohomeandwritesome generous checks, which would be money invested in God's savings-bank.Itwasaveryhappytimeforall,andmadestrangersfriendsinthesweetwaywhichteacheshearttospeaktoheart.Whentheconcertwasover,Lizziefelt

manyhandspresshersandleavesomethingthere,manychildishlipskissherown,withpromisesto"helpabouttheKindergarten,"andherearswerefullofkind voices thanking and praising her for doing her part sowell. Still later,whenallweregone, sheproudlyput the rollsofbills intoMr.Constantine'shand, and throwing her arms aboutMissGrace's neck, said, tremblingwithearnestness,"I'mnotaburdenanymore,andIcantrulyhelp!HowcanIeverthankyoubothformakingmesohappy?"OnecanfancywhattheiranswerwasandhowLizziehelped;forlongaftertheKindergartenwas filledwith pale little flowers blooming slowly as she haddone, the Blind Lark went on singing pennies out of pockets, and sweetlyremindingpeoplenottoforgetthisnoblecharity.

V.MUSICANDMACARONI.

Among the pretty villages that lie along the wonderful Cornice roadwhichrunsfromNice toGenoa,nonewasmorebeautiful thanValrose. Itdeservedits name, for it was indeed a "valley of roses." The little townwith its oldchurch nestled among the olive and orange trees that clothed the hillside,sloping up to purplemountains towering behind. Lower down stretched thevineyards;andthevalleywasabedofflowersalltheyearround.Therewereacresofviolets,verbenas,mignonette,andeverysweet-scentedblossomthatgrows,whilehedgesofroses,andalleysoflemon-treeswiththeirwhitestarsmade the air heavy with perfume. Across the plain, one saw the blue searollingtomeetthebluersky,sendingfreshairsandsoftrainstokeepValrosegreen and beautiful even through the summer heat. Only one ugly thingmarredthelovelylandscape,andthatwasthefactory,withitstallchimneys,its red walls, and ceaseless bustle. But old ilex-trees tried to conceal itsugliness; the smoke curled gracefully from its chimney-tops; and the brownmentalkedintheirmusicallanguageastheyranaboutthebusycourtyard,ordidstrangethingsbelowinthestill-room.Handsomeblack-eyedgirlssangattheopenwindowsattheirprettywork,anddeliciousodorsfilledtheplace;forhere the flowers that bloomed outsidewere changed to all kinds of delicateperfumes to scent the hair of great ladies and the handkerchiefs of daintygentlemenalltheworldover.The poor roses, violets, mignonette, orange-flowers, and their sisters, werebroughthereingreatbasketstoyielduptheirsweetsoulsinhotroomswhere,firesburnedandgreatvatsboiled;thentheyweresentuptobeimprisonedinprettyflasksofall imaginableshapesandcolorsbythegirls,whoputgildedlabelsonthem,packedthemindelicateboxes,andsentthemawaytocomfort

thesick,pleasetherich,andputmoneyinthepocketsofthemerchants.Manychildrenwere employed in the lightworkofweedingbeds, gatheringflowers,andrunningerrands;amongthesenonewerebusier,happier,ormorebeloved than Florentino and his sister Stella. They were orphans, but theylivedwitholdMariuccia inher little stonehousenear thechurch, contentedwith thesmallwages theyearned, though theirclotheswerepoor, their foodsalad,macaroni,ryebread,andthinwine,withnowandthenatasteofmeatwhenStella'sloverorsomericherfriendgavethematreatongaladays.Theyworkedhard,andhadtheirdreamsofwhattheywoulddowhentheyhadsavedupalittlestore;StellawouldmarryherBeppoandsettleinahomeofherown;butTinowasmoreambitious,forhepossessedasweetboyishvoiceandsangsowellinthechoir,atthemerrymakings,andabouthiswork,thathewascalled the"littlenightingale,"andmuchpraisedandpetted,notonlybyhismates,butbythegoodpriestwhotaughthimmusic,andthetravellerswhooften came to the factory andwere not allowed to go till Tino had sung tothem.Allthismadetheladvain;andhehopedonedaytogoawayasBaptistahadgone,whonowsanginafinechurchatGenoaandsenthomegoldnapoleonstohisoldparents.HowthiswastocomeaboutTinohadnottheleastidea,buthecheeredhisworkwithallmannerofwildplans,andsanghisbestatMass,hoping some stranger would hear, and take him away as Signor Pulci hadtaken bigTista,whose voicewas not half sowonderful as his own, all hadsaid. No one came, however, and Tino at thirteen was still at work in thevalley,--ahappylittlelad,singingalldaylongashecarriedhisfragrantloadstoandfro,atehisdinnerofbreadandbeansfriedinoil,withacrust,undertheilex-trees,andsleptlikeadormouseatnightonhiscleanstrawintheloftatMariuccia's, with the moon for his candle and the summer warmth for hiscoverlet.One day in September, as he stood winnowing mignonette seed in a quietcornerof thevastgarden,hewas thinkingdeeplyoverhishopes andplans,and practising the last chant FatherAngelo had taught him,while he shookandheldthesievehigh,toletthewindblowawaythedeadhusks,leavingthebrownseedsbehind.Suddenly,asheendedhislessonwithaclearhighnotethatseemedtoriseanddie softly away like the voice of an angel in the air, the sound of applausestartledhim;andturning,hesawagentlemansittingontherudebenchbehindhim,--a well-dressed, handsome, smiling gentleman, who clapped his whitehandsandnoddedandsaidgayly, "Bravo,myboy, thatwaswelldone!Youhaveawonderfulvoice;singagain."ButTinowastooabashedforthemoment,andcouldonlystandandstareat

thestranger,aprettypictureofboyishconfusion,pleasure,andshyness."Come,tellmeallaboutit,myfriend.Whotaughtyousowell?Whyareyouhere,andnotwhereyoushouldbe,learningtousethisfinepipeofyours,andmake fameandmoneyby it?" said thegentleman, still smilingashe leanedeasilyinhisseatandswunghisgloves.Tino'sheartbegantobeatfastashethought,"Perhapsmychancehascomeatlast!Imustmakethemostofit."Sotakingcourage,hetoldhislittlestory;andwhenheended,thestrangergaveanod,saying,--"Yes,youarethe'littlenightingale'theyspokeofupattheinn.Icametofindyou.Nowsingmesomethinggay,someofyourfolk-songs.Thatsortwillsuityoubest."Anxioustomakethemostofhischance,Tinotookcourageandsangawayaseasily as a bird on a bough, pouring out one after another the barcaroles,serenades,ballads,anddrinking-songshehad learned from thepeopleabouthim.Thegentlemanlistened,laughed,andapplaudedasifwellpleased,andwhenTinostoppedtotakebreath,hegaveanothernodmoredecidedthanthefirst,andsaidwithhisengagingsmile,--"Youareindeedawonder,andquitewastedhere.IfIhadyouIshouldmakeamanofyou,andputmoneyinyourpocketasfastasyouopenedyourmouth."Tino'seyessparkledattheword"money,"forsweetaswasthepraise,theideaofhavingfullpocketsbewitchedhim,andheaskedeagerly,"How,signor?""Well,"answeredthegentleman,idlytappinghisnosewitharose-budwhichhehadpulledashecamealong,"IshouldtakeyoutomyhotelatNice;wash,brush,andtrimyouupalittle;putyouintoavelvetsuitwithalacecollar,silkstockings, and buckled shoes; teach youmusic, feed you well, and when Ithoughtyou fitcarryyouwithme to thesalonsof thegreatpeople,where Igiveconcerts.Thereyouwouldsingthesegaysongsofyours,andbepetted,praised, and peltedwith bonbons, francs, and kisses perhaps,--for you are apretty lad and these fine ladies and idle gentlemen are always ready towelcome a new favorite.Would you fancy that sort of life better than this?Youcanhaveitifyoulike."Tino's black eyes shone; the color deepened in his brown cheeks; and heshowed all his white teeth as he laughed and exclaimed with a gesture ofdelight,--"MioDio!butIwould,signor!I'mtiredofthiswork;Ilongtosing,toseetheworld,tobemyownmaster,andletStellaandtheoldwomanknowthatIambigenoughtohavemyownway.Doyoureallymeanit?WhencanIgo?I'mready now, only I had better run and put on my holiday suit and get my

guitar.""Good!there 'sa ladofspirit. I likethatwell.Aguitar too?Bravo,mylittletroubadour, we shall make a sensation in the drawing-rooms, and fill ourpocketsshortly.Butthereisnohaste,anditwouldbewelltoaskthesefriendsofyours,ortheremightbetrouble.Idon'tstealnightingales,Ibuythem;andIwillgivetheoldwoman,whoevershemaybe,morethanyouwouldearninamonth.See, I too ama singer, and this Imade atGenoa in aweek."Ashespoke,SignorMariopulledawell-filledpursefromonepocket,ahandfulofgold and silver coin from the other, and chinked them before the boy'sadmiringeyes."Letusgo!"criedTino,flingingdownthesieveasifdonewithworkforever."Stellaisathometo-day;comeatoncetoMariuccia,--itisnotfar;andwhentheyhearthesefineplans,theywillbegladtoletmego,Iamsure."Awayhewentacrossthefieldofflowers,throughthecourtyard,upthesteepstreet,straightintothekitchenwherehisprettysistersateatingartichokesandbreadwhile theoldwoman twirledherdistaff in thesun.Bothwereused tostrangers,forthecottagewasapicturesqueplace,halfhiddenlikeabird'snestinvinesandfig-trees,withagaylittleplotofflowersbeforeit;travellersoftencametotasteMariuccia'shoney,forherbeesfaredwell,andtheircombswererunning overwith the sweetness of violets and roses, put up in dainty littlewaxenboxesmadebybetterworkmenthananyfoundatthefactory.ThetwowomenlistenedrespectfullywhileSignorMariotoldhisplaninhisdelightfullygraciousway;andStellawasmuchimpressedbythesplendoroftheprospectbeforeherbrother.Butthewiseoldwomanshookherhead,anddeclared decidedly that the boy was too young to leave home yet. FatherAngelowasteachinghimwell;hewassafeandhappywherehewas;andthereheshouldremain,forshehadswornbyallthesaintstohisdyingmotherthatshewouldguardhimastheappleofhereyetillhewasoldenoughtotakecareofhimself.In vain Mario shook his purse before her eyes, Stella pleaded, and Tinostormed;thefaithfuloldsoulwouldnotgiveup,muchassheneededmoney,lovedStella,andhatedtocrosstheboywhowasintruth"theappleofhereye"and thedarlingofherheart.Therewas a lively scene in the little room, forevery one talked at once, gesticulatedwildly, and grewmuch excited in thediscussion; but nothing came of it, and Signor Mario departed wrathfully,leavingMariuccialookingassternasfatewithherdistaff,Stellaintears,andTinoinsucharagehecouldonlydashuptotheloftandthrowhimselfonhisrudebed,theretokickandsobandtearhishair,andwishtheremightbetenthousandearthquakestoswallowthatcrueloldwomanupinthetwinklingofaneye.

Stella came tobeghim tobecomfortedandeathis supper,buthedrew thewoodenboltandwouldnotletherin,sayingsternly,--"IneverwillcomedowntillMariucciasaysImaygo;Iwillstarvefirst.Iamnotachildtobesotreated.Goaway,andletmealone;Ihateyouboth!"PoorStellaretired,heart-broken,andwhenallherentreatiesfailedtochangetheirguardian'sdecision,shewent toconsultFatherAngelo.Heagreedwiththeoldwoman that itwasbest to keep theboy safe at home, as theyknewnothing of the strange gentleman nor what might befall Tino if he left theshelterofhisownhumblehomeandfriends.Much disappointed, Stella went to pray devoutly in the church, and then,meetingherBeppo,soonforgotallabout thepoor little ladwhohadsobbedhimselftosleepuponhisstraw.The house was quiet when he awoke; no lights shone from any neighbor'swindows;andallwas still except thenightingales singing in thevalley.Themoonwasup;andherfriendlyfacelookedinatthelittlewindowsobrightlythat the boy felt comforted, and lay staring at the soft lightwhile hismindworked busily. Some evil spirit, some naughty Puck bent onmischiefmusthave been abroad that night, for into Tino's head there suddenly popped asplendididea;atleasthethoughtitso,andinhisrebelliousstatefounditallthemore tempting because danger and disobedience and defiance all had apartinit.Why not run away? SignorMariowas not to leave till nextmorning. Tinocouldeasilyslipoutearlyandjointhekindgentlemanbeyondthetown.Thiswouldshowthewomenthathe,Tino,hadawillofhisownandwasnottobetreatedlikeachildanymore.Itwouldgivethemagoodfright,makeafinestirin theplace,andadd tohisglorywhenhereturnedwithplentyofmoney todisplay himself in the velvet suit and silk stockings,--a famous fellowwhoknewwhat hewas about and did notmean to be insulted, or tied to an oldwoman'sapron-stringforever.Thelongerhethoughtthemoredelightfultheideabecame,andheresolvedtocarryitout,forthefinetaleshehadheardmadehimmorediscontentedthaneverwithhispresentsimple,care-freelife.Uphegot,andbythelightofthemoontookfromtheoldchesthisbestsuit.Movingverysoftly,heputonthebreeches and jacket of roughblue cloth, the coarse linen shirt, the red sash,and thesandalsofrusset leather that lacedabouthis legs to theknee.Afewclothes,withhisrosary,hetiedupinahandkerchief,andlaidthelittlebundlereadywith his Sunday hat, a broad-brimmed, pointed-crowned affairwith aredbandandcock'sfeathertoadornit.Thenhesatatthewindowwaitingfordawntocome,fearingtosleeplesthebe too late. It seemed an almost endless night, the first he had ever spent

awake, but red streaks came in the east at last, and he stole to the door,meaning to creep noiselessly downstairs, take a good hunch of bread and agourdfullofwineandslipoffwhilethewomenslept.Tohisdismayhefoundthedoorbarredontheoutside.Hiscouragehadebbedalittleasthetimeforactioncame;butatthisnewinsulthegotangryagain,andeverydutifulimpulseflewawayinaminute."Ah, they think to keep me, do they? Behold, then, how I cheat the sillythings! They have never seenme climb down the fig-tree, and thought mesafe.NowIwillvanish,andleavethemtoteartheirhairandweepformeinvain."Flinging out his bundle, and carefully lowering his old guitar, Tino leanedfromthelittlewindow,caughtthenearestbranchofthetreethatbenttowardthewall, and swung himself down as nimbly as a squirrel. Pausing only topick several bunches of ripe grapes from the vine about the door, he wentsoftlythroughthegardenandranawayalongtheroadtowardNiceasfastashislegscouldcarryhim.Not till he reached the top of the long hill amile away, did he slacken hislivelypace;thenclimbingabank,helaydowntorestundersomeolive-trees,and ate his grapes as he watched the sun rise. Travellers always left theFalcone Inn early to enjoy themorning freshness, soTinoknew thatSignorMariowouldsoonappear;andwhenthehorsespausedtorestonthehill-top,the "little nightingale" would present himself as unexpectedly as if he hadfallenfromheaven.ButSignorMariowasalazyman;andTinohadtimetoworkhimselfintoafever of expectation, doubt, and fear before the roll of wheels greeted hislongingears.Yes,itwasthedelightfulstranger!--readingpapersandsmokingasherode,quiteblindtothebeautyallaroundhim,blindalsotothesuddenappearance of a picturesque little figure by the roadside, as the carriagestopped.Evenwhenhelooked,hedidnotrecognizeshabbyTinointhewell-dressedbeggar,ashethoughthim,whostoodbare-headedandsmiling,withhatinonehand,bundleintheother,andguitarslungonhisback.Hewavedhishandasiftosay,"Ihavenothingforyou,"andwasabouttobidthemandriveon,butTinocriedoutboldly,--"Beholdme,signor!IamTino,thesingingboyofValrose.Ihaverunawaytojoinyouifyouwillhaveme.Ah,pleasedo!Iwishsomuchtogowithyou.""Bravo!"criedMario,wellpleased."That isa ladofspirit;andIamgladtohaveyou.Idon'tstealnightingales,asItoldyoudownyonder;butiftheygetoutoftheircagesandperchonmyfinger,Ikeepthem.Inwithyou,boy!thereisnotimetolose."In scrambled happy Tino, and settling himself and his property on the seat

opposite, amusedhisnewmasterwith a lively accountofhis escape.Mariolaughedandpraisedhim;Luigi, the servant,grinnedashe listened from thecoach-box; and the driver resolved to tell the tale at the Falcone, when hestoppedthereonhisreturntoGenoa,sothelad'sfriendsmightknowwhathadbecomeofhim.After a little chat SignorMario returned to his newspapers, and Tino, tiredwithhis longvigilandbriskrun,curledhimselfupontheseat,pillowedhisheadonhisbundleandfellfastasleep,rockedbythemotionofthecarriageasitrolledalongthesmoothroad.Whenhewaked,thesunwashigh,thecarriagestoodbeforeawaysideinn,theman and horses were gone to their dinners, and the signor lay under somemulberry-treesinthegardenwhileLuigisetforthuponthegrassthecontentsofawell-filledhamperwhich theyhadbroughtwith them,hismasterbeingone who looked well after his own comfort. The sight of food drew Tinotowarditasstraightasahoney-jardrawsflies,andhepresentedhimselfwithhismostengagingair.Beinginagoodhumor,thenewmasterbadethehungryladsitdownandeat,whichhedidsoheartilythatlardedfowl,melon,wine,andbreadvanishedasifbymagic.NeverhadfoodtastedsogoodtoTino;andrejoicingwithtrueboyishdelightintheprospectofplentytoeat,hewentofftoplayMorsowiththedriver,whilethehorsesrestedandMariotookasiestaonthegrass.Whentheysetforthagain,Tinoreceivedhisfirstmusiclessonfromthenewteacher,whowaswellpleasedtofindhowquicklytheboycaughttheairofaVenetianboat-song,andhowsweetlyhesangit.ThenTinostrummedonhisguitar and amused his hearers with all the melodies he knew, from churchchants to drinking-songs. Mario taught him how to handle his instrumentgracefully, speak a fewpolite phrases, and sit properly instead of sprawlingawkwardlyorloungingidly.Sotheafternoonworeaway;andatdusktheyreachedNice.ToTinoitlookedlike an enchanted city as they drove down to it from the soft gloom andstillnessofthecountry.Theseabrokegentlyonthecurvingshore,sparklingwiththelightsofthePromenadedesAnglaiswhichoverlooksit.Ahalfcircleof brilliant hotels came next; behind these the glimmer of villas scatteredalong thehillsideshone likefirefliesamonggardensandorangegroves;andhigher still the stars burned in a violet sky.Soon themoonwouldbeup, tohang like a great lamp from that splendid dome, turning sea and shore to amagicworldbyherlight.Tinoclappedhishandsandlookedabouthimwithallthepleasureofhisbeauty-lovingraceastheyrattledthroughthegaystreetsandstoppedatoneofthefinehotels.Here Mario put on his grand air, and was shown to the apartment he hadordered fromGenoa. Tinomeekly followed; and Luigi brought up the rear

with the luggage.Tino felt as if he had got into a fairy talewhen he foundhimselfinafineparlorwherehecouldonlysitandstareabouthim,whilehismasterrefreshedinthechamberbeyond,andthemanordereddinner.Alargeclosetwasgiventheboytosleepin,withamattressandblanket,abasinandpitcher,andafewpegs tohanghisclotheson.But itseemedveryniceaftertheloft;andwhenhehadwashedhisface,shakenthedustoff,andsmoothedhiscurlyheadaswellashecould,hereturnedtotheparlortogloatoversuchadinnerashehadnevereatenbefore.Mariowasinagoodhumorandanxioustokeeptheladso,thereforehepliedhimwithgoodthingstoeat,finepromises,andthepraiseinwhichthatvainlittlesouldelighted.Tinowenttobedearly,feelingthathisfortunewasmade,andhismasterwentoff toamusehimselfatagaming-table,for thatwashisfavoritepastime.Nextdaythenewlifebegan.Afteralatebreakfast,amusiclessonwasgivenwhichboth interestedanddismayedTino, forhismasterwasfar lesspatientthangoodoldFatherAngelo,andsworeathimwhenhefailedtocatchanewairasquicklyasheexpected.Bothweretiredandrathercrosswhenitended,butTinosoon forgot the tweakingofhisearand the scolding,whenhewassentawaywithLuigi tobuythevelvetsuitandsundrynecessaryarticlesfortheyoungtroubadour.Itwasalovelyday;andthegaycitywasallalivewiththepicturesquebustlewhich always fills it when the season begins. Red-capped fishermen werelaunchingtheirboatsfromthebeach,flower-girlshasteningfromthegardenswith their fragrant loads to sell on the Promenade, where invalids sunnedthemselves,nursesledtheirrosytroopstoplay,fineladiesstrolled,andmenofallnationspacedtoandfroatcertainhours.Intheolderpartofthecity,workofallsortswenton,--coral-carversfilledtheirwindowswithprettyornaments;pastry-cooks tempted with dainty dishes; milliners showed hats fresh fromParis; and Turkishmerchants hung out rich rugs and carpets at their doors.Church-bells chimed; priests with incense and banners went through thestreets on holy errands; the Pifferoni piped gayly; orange-women andchestnut-sellerscalled theirwares inmusicalvoices;even the little scullionswho go about scouring saucepans at back doors made a song of their cry,"Casserola!"Tinohadacharmingtime,andcouldhardlybelievehissenseswhenonefinethingafteranotherwasboughtforhimandorderedhome.Notonly thesuit,buttworuffledshirts,acrimsontieforthelacecollar,abroadnewribbonfortheguitar,handkerchiefs,hose,anddelicateshoes,asifhewasagentleman'sson.WhenLuigiaddedalittlemantleandahatsuchasotherwell-dressedladsofhisagewore,Tinoexclaimed,"Thisalso!Diomio,neverhaveIknownsokindamanasSignorMario.Ishallservehimwellandlovehimevenbetter

thanyoudo."Luigishruggedhisshouldersandansweredwithadisagreeablelaugh,"Longmayyouthinkso,poverino;Iserveformoney,notlove,andlooktoitthatIgetmywages,elseitwouldgoillwithbothofus.Keepallyoucanget,boy;ourmasterisapttoforgethisservants."Tinodidnot like the look,half scornful, half pitiful,whichLuigigavehim,andwonderedwhyhedidnotlovethegoodsignor.Laterhefoundout;butallwas pleasant now, and lunch at a café completed the delights of that longmorning.The rooms were empty when they returned; and bidding him keep out ofmischief, Luigi left Tino alone for several hours. But he found plenty ofamusement in examining all thewonders the apartment contained, receivingthepreciousparcels as they arrived, practisinghisnewbowbefore the longmirror,andeatingthenutsthathehadboughtofajollyoldwomanatastreetcorner.Thenhewent to loungeon thebalcony that ranalong the frontof thehotel,andwatchedthelivelyscenebelow,tillsunsetsentthepromenadershometodress for dinner. Feeling a sudden pang of homesickness as he thought ofStella,Tinogothisguitarandsangtheoldsongstocomforthisloneliness.Thefirstwashardlyendedbeforeoneaftertheotherfivelittleheadspoppedout of awindow farther down the balcony; and presently a group of prettychildrenwerelisteningandsmilingastheniceboyplayedandsangtothem.Agentleman looked out; and a lady evidently listened, for the end of a laceflounce lay on the threshold of the longwindow, and a pair ofwhite handsclappedwhenhefinishedagayairinhisbeststyle.Thiswashisfirsttasteofapplause,andhelikedit,andtwangedawaymerrilytill hismaster's voice called him in just as hewas beginning to answer thequestionstheeagerchildrenaskedhim."Goanddress! Ishall takeyoudowntodinnerwithmepresently.Butmindthis, Iwillanswerquestions;doyoukeepquiet,and leaveme to tellwhat Ithinkbest.Remember,orIpackyouhomeatonce."Tinopromised,andwassoonabsorbedingettingintohisnewclothes;Luigicametohelphim,andwhenhewasfinishedoff,averyhandsomelademergedfrom the closet tomakehis best bow to hismaster,who, also in fine array,surveyedhimwithentireapproval."Very good! I thought youwouldmake a passable butterflywhen you shedyour grub's skin. Stand up and keep your hands out of your pockets.MindwhatItoldyouaboutsuppingsoupnoisily,anddon'thandleyourforklikeashovel.Seewhatothersdo, smile, andholdyour tongue.There is thegong.

Letusgo."Tino'sheartbeatashefollowedMariodownthelonghalltothegreatsalleàmangerwithitsglitteringtabled'hôteandmanyguests.Buttheconsciousnessofnewclothessustainedhim,sohehelduphishead,turnedouthistoes,andtookhisplace,tryingtolookasifeverythingwasnotverynewanddazzlingtohim.Two elderly ladies sat opposite, and he heard one say to the other in badItalian,"Beholdthelovelyboy,Maria;Ishouldliketopainthim."Andtheotheranswered,"Wewillbeamiabletohim,andperhapswemaygethimforamodel.JustwhatIwantforalittleSaintJohn."Tinosmiledatthemtillhisblackeyessparkledandhiswhiteteethshone,forhe understood and enjoyed their praise. The artistic ladies smiled back, andwatchedhimwithinterestlongafterhehadforgottenthem,forthatdinnerwasa serious affair to theboy,with aheavy silver spoonand fork tomanage, anapkintounfold,andthreeglassestosteerclearofforfearofageneralupset,soawkwarddidhefeel.Every one elsewas too busy tomind hismistakes; and the ladies set themdown to bashfulness, as he got red in the face, and dared not look up afterspillinghissoupanddroppingaroll.Presently,whilewaitingfordessert,heforgothimselfinsomethingMariowassayingtohisneighborontheotherside:--"ApoorlittlefellowwhomIfoundstarvinginthestreetsatGenoa.Hehasavoice;Ihaveaheart,andIadoremusic.Itookhimtomyself,andshalldomybestforhim.Ah,yes!inthisselfishworldonemustnotforgetthehelplessandthepoor."Tino stared,wonderingwhat other boy the good signor had befriended, andwasstillmorebewilderedwhenMarioturnedtohimwithapaternalair,toaddinthatpioustonesonewtotheboy,--"Thisismylittlefriend,andhewillgladlycomeandsingtoyouryoungladiesafter dinner.Many thanks for the honor; I shall bring him out atmy parlorconcerts,andsofithimforhisplacebyandby.Bowandsmile,quick!"Thelastwordswereinasharpwhisper;andTinoobeyedwithasuddenboboftheheadthatsenthiscurlsoverhiseyes,andthenlaughedsuchaboyishlaughas he shook them back that the gentleman leaning forward to look at himjoined in it, and the ladies smiled sympathetically as they pushed a dish ofbonbonsnearertohim.Mariogavehimanindulgentlook,andwentoninthesamebenevolenttonetellingallhemeanttodo,tillthekindlygentlemanfromRomewasmuchinterested,havingladsofhisownandbeingfondofmusic.Tino listened to the fine tales toldofhimandhopednoonewould askhim

about Genoa, for he would surely betray that he had never been there andcouldnot lie asgliblyasMariodid.He felt rather like the littleoldwomanwho did not knowwhether shewas herself or not, but consoled himself bysmilingat the ladiesandeatingawholeplatefulof littlecakesstandingnearhim.When they rose,Tinomade his bow, andMariowalked down the long hallwithhishandontheboy'sshoulderandafriendlyairveryimpressivetothespectators, who began at once to gossip about the pretty lad and his kindprotector,justasthecunninggentlemanplannedtohavethem.Assoonastheywereoutofsight,Mario'smannerchanged;andtellingTinotositdownanddigesthisdinnerorhewouldn'tbeabletosinganote,hewenttothe balcony to smoke till the servant came to conduct them to ConteAlborghetti'ssalon."Nowmind,boy;doexactlyasItellyou,orI'lldropyoulikeahotchestnutandleaveyoutogethomeasyoucan,"saidMario,inasharpwhisper,astheypausedonthethresholdofthedoor."I will, signor, indeed I will!" murmured Tino, scared by the flash of hismaster's black eye and the grip of his hand, as he pulled the bashful boyforward.Intheywent,andforamomentTinoonlyperceivedalargelightroomfullofpeople,whoalllookedathimashestoodbesideMariowithhisguitarslungoverhisshoulder,redcheeks,andsuchaflutterathisheartthathefeltsurehecouldneversingthere.Theamiablehostcametomeetandpresentthemtoagroupofladies,whileaflockofchildrendrewneartolookatandlistentothe"nicesingingboyfromGenoa."Mario,havingpaidhisthanksandcomplimentsinhisbestmanner,openedthelittle concert by a grand piece upon the piano, proving that he was a finemusician,thoughTinoalreadybegantofancyhewasnotquitesogoodamanashewishedtoappear.Thenhesangseveralairsfromoperas;andTinoforgothimselfinlisteningdelightedlytothemellowvoiceofhismaster,fortheladlovedmusicandhadneverheardanylikethisbefore.WhenTino'sturncame,hehadlosthisfirstshyness,andthoughhislipsweredry and breath short, and he gave the guitar an awkward bang against thepianoashepulleditroundreadytoplayupon,thecuriosityinthefacesofthechildrenandthekindlyinterestoftheladiesgavehimcouragetostartbravelyoffwith "BellaMonica,"--the easiest aswell as gayest of his songs. Itwentwell;andwitheachversehisvoicegrewclearer,hishandfirmer,andhiseyesfullerofboyishpleasureinhisownpowertoplease.Forpleasehedid,andwhenheendedwithaloudtwangandkissedhishandtotheaudienceashealwaysusedtodotothegirlsathome,everyoneclapped

heartily,andthegentlemencried,"Bravo,piccolo!Hesingsintruthlikealittlenightingale;encore,encore!"TheseweresweetsoundstoTino;andheneedednourgingtosing"Lucia"inhissoftesttones,"lookinglikeoneofMurillo'sangels!"asayoungladysaid,while he sang away with his eyes piously lifted in the manner Mario hadtaughthim.Then followed a grand march from the master while the boy rested; afterwhichTinogavemorefolk-songs,andendedwithanationalairinwhichalljoined like patriotic and enthusiastic Italians, shouting the musical chorus,"VivaItalia!"tilltheroomrang.Tinoquite losthisheadat that,andbegan topranceas if themusichadgotintohisheels.BeforeMariocouldstophim,hewasshowingoneofthelittlegirlshowtodancetheSalterelloasthepeasantsdanceitduringCarnival;andall thechildrenwerecaperinggaylyabout thewidepolishedfloorwithTinostrummingandskippinglikeayoungfawnfromthewoods.The elder people laughed and enjoyed the pretty sight till trays of ices andbonbonscamein;andthelittlepartyendedinageneralenjoymentofthegoodthings children most delight in. Tino heard his master receiving thecomplimentsofthecompany,andsawthehostslipapaperintohishand;but,boylike, he contented himself with a pocket full of sweetmeats, and theentreaties of his little patrons to come again soon, and sobackedout of theroom,afterbowingtillhewasdizzy,andbumpingagainstamarbletableinaverypainfulmanner."Well,howdoyoulikethelifeIpromisedyou?IsitallIsaid?Dowebegintofill our pockets, and enjoy ourselves even sooner than I expected?" askedMario,withagood-naturedslapoftheshoulder,astheyreachedhisapartmentagain."Itissplendid!Ilikeitmuch,verymuch!andIthankyouwithallmyheart,"cried Tino, gratefully kissing the hand that could tweak sharply, as well ascaresswhenthingssuiteditsowner."Youdidwell,evenbetterthanIhoped;butinsomethingswemustimprove.Thoselegsmustbetaughttokeepstill;andyoumustnotforgetthatyouareapeasantwhenamongyourbetters.Itpassedverywellto-nightwiththoselittlepersons,butinsomeplacesitwouldhaveputmeinafinescrape.Capers!butIfearedatonemomentyouwouldhaveembracedtheyoungcontessa,whenshedancedwithyou."MariolaughedaspoorTinoblushedandstammered,"But,signor,shewassolittle,onlytenyearsold,andIthoughtnoharmtoholdheruponthatslipperyfloor. See, she gaveme all these, and bademe come again. Iwould gladlyhavekissedher,shewassolikelittleAnninaathome."

"Well,well, no harm is done; but I see the pretty brown girls down yonderhave spoiled you, and I shall have to keep an eye on my gallant youngtroubadour.Nowtobed,anddon'tmakeyourselfillwithallthoseconfections.Felicenotte,DonGiovanni!"andawaywentMariotoloseatplayeveryfrancofthemoneythegenerouscounthadgivenhim"forthepoorlad."That was the beginning of a new and charming life for Tino, and for twomonthshewasabusyandahappyboy,withonlyahomesickfitnowandthenwhenMariowasoutoftemper,orLuigiputmorethanhisfairshareofworkuponhis shoulders.Theparlor concertswentwell, and the little nightingalewas soon a favorite toy in many salons. Night after night Tino sang andplayed,waspettedandpraised,andthentrottedhometodreamfeverishlyofnewdelights;forthisexcitinglifewasfastspoilingthesimpleladwhousedtobesomerryandbusyatValrose.Themorehehad,themorehewanted,andsoon grew discontented, jealous, and peevish.He had cause to complain ofsome things; for noneof themoney earned ever came to him, andwhenheplucked up courage to ask for his promised share,Mario told him he onlyearned his food and clothes as yet. Then Tino rebelled, and got a beating,whichmadehimoutwardlyasmeekasalamb,butinwardlyaveryresentful,unhappyboy,andspoiledallhispleasureinmusicandsuccess.Hewasneglectedalldayandlefttodowhathelikedtillneededatnight,soheamused himself by lounging about the hotel or wandering on the beach towatchthefishermencasttheirnets.LazyLuigikepthimdoingerrandswhenhe could; but for hours the boy saw neithermaster norman, andwonderedwhere theywere. At last he found out, and his dream of fame and fortuneendedinsmoke.Christmasweekwas agayone for everybody, andTino thoughtgood timeshadcomeagain; forhesangatseveralchildrens' fêtes, receivedsomeprettygiftsfromthekindAlborghettis,andevenMariowasamiableenoughtogivehimagoldennapoleonafterarunofgoodluckatthecards.Eagertoshowhispeoplethathewasgettingon,TinobeggedAntoine, thefriendlywaiterwhohadalreadywrittenonelettertoStellaforhim,towriteanother,andsendbyafriendgoingthatwayalittleparcelcontainingthemoneyforMariuccia,afineRomansashforStella,andmanyaffectionatemessagestoallhisoldfriends.Itwaswell he had that little satisfaction, for itwas his last chance to sendgoodnewsorexultoverhisgrandsuccess.Troublescamewiththenewyear;andinoneweekourpoorlittlejayfoundhimselfstrippedofallhisborrowedplumes,andleftaveryforlornbirdindeed.Trottingaboutlateatnightinsilkstockings,andgettingwetmorethanonceinthewinterrains,gaveTinoabadcold.Noonecaredforit;andhewassoonashoarseasacrow.Hismaster forcedhimtosingseveral times inspiteof thepain he suffered, and when at the last concert he broke down completely,

Mariosworeathimfor"auselessbrat,"andbegantotalkofgoingtoMilantofind a new set of singers and patrons.HadTino been older, hewould havediscoveredsometimesoonerthatSignorMariowaslosingfavorinNice,asheseldompaidabill,andledaverygay,extravagantlife.But,boylike,Tinosawonly his own small troubles, and suspected nothing when Luigi one daypackedup the velvet suit and took it away "to be repaired," he said. Itwasshabby,andTino,lyingonthesofawithaheadacheandsharpcough,wasgladno one ordered him to gowith it, for the Tramontanawas blowing, and helonged for oldMariuccia's herb tea andStella's cosseting, being quite ill bythistime.That night as he lay awake in his closet coughing, feverish and restless, heheardhismasterandLuigimovingabouttillverylate,evidentlypackingforParis orMilan, andTinowondered if hewould like either place better thanNice, and wished they were not so far from Valrose. In the midst of hismeditationshefellasleep,andwhenhewoke,itwasmorning.Hehurriedupandwentouttoseewhattheorderofthedaywastobe,ratherpleasedattheideaoftravellingabouttheworld.Tohissurprisenobreakfastappeared;theroomwasinconfusion,everysignofMario had vanished but empty bottles and a long hotel bill lying unpaiduponthetable.BeforeTinocouldcollecthiswits,AntoinecameflyingintosaywithwildgesticulationsandmuchFrenchwraththat"therascalMariohadgoneinthenight, leavingimmensedebtsbehindhim,andthelandlordinanapoplexyofrage."PoorTinowassodismayedhecouldonlysitandletthestormpeltabouthisears;fornotonlydidthewaiterappear,butthechambermaid,thecoachman,andatlasttheindignanthosthimself,allscoldingatonceastheyrummagedthe rooms, questioned the bewildered boy, and wrung their hands over theescapeofthesedishonestwretches."Youalso,littlebeast,havegrownfatuponmygoodfare!andwhoistopayme for all you have eaten, not to mention the fine bed, the washing, thecandles,andthecoachesyouhavehad?Ah,greatheavens!whatistobecomeofuswhensuch thingsoccur?"and thepoor landlord torehishairwithonehandwhileheshookhisotherfistatTino."Dear sir, take all I have; it is only an old guitar, and a few clothes.Not acentime do I own; but I will work for you. I can clean saucepans and runerrands.Speakforme,Antoine;youaremyonlyfriendnow."Theladlookedsohonestandillandpathetic,ashespokewithhispoorhoarsevoice, and looked beseechingly about him, that Antoine's kind heart wasmelted,andheadvisedtheboytoslipawayhomeassoonaspossible,andsoescape all further violence and trouble. He slipped two francs into Tino's

emptypocket,andassoonastheroomwascleared,helpedhimtieupthefewoldclothesthatremained.Thehostcarriedofftheguitarastheonlythinghecouldseize,soTinohadlesstotakeawaythanhebrought,whenAntoineledhim out by the backway,with a good sandwich of bread andmeat for hisbreakfast,andbadehimgo to thesquareand try tobega ride toValroseonsomeofthecarriagesoftengoingthitheronthewaytoGenoa.WithmanythanksTinoleftthegreathotel,feelingtoomiserabletocaremuchwhat becameof him, for all his finedreamswere spoiled like thebasket ofchinathemankickedoverinthe"ArabianNights,"whiledreaminghewasaking.Howcouldhegohome,sick,poor,andforsaken,afterallthegrandtaleshe had lately told in his letter?How theywould laugh at him, themen andgirlsatthefactory!HowMariucciawouldwagheroldheadandsay,"Ecco!isitnotasIforetold?"EvenStellawouldweepoverhimandbesorrytoseeherdearboyinsuchasadplight,yetwhatcouldhedo?Hisvoicewasgoneandhisguitar,orhemightsingaboutthestreets,asMariodescribedhisdoingatGenoa,andsoearnhisdailybreadtillsomethingturnedup.Nowhewasquitehelpless, andmuch against hiswill, hewent to see if any chanceof gettinghomeappeared.Thedaywasshowery,andnopartywassettingoffforthefamousdrivealongtheCorniceroad.Tinowasgladof it,andwent to lieonabenchat thecaféwherehehadoftenbeenwithLuigi.Hisheadached,andhiscoughlefthimnopeace,sohespentsomeofhismoneyinsyrupandwatertoquellthetrouble,andwiththerestpaidforagooddinnerandsupper.Hetoldhissadtaletothecook,andwasallowedtosleepinthekitchenafterscrubbingsaucepanstopayforit.Butnoonewantedhim;andinthemorning,afteracupofcoffeeandarollhefoundhimselfcastupontheworldagain.Hewould not beg, and as dinner time approached, hunger reminded him of ahumblefriendwhomhehadforgotteninhisowndaysofplenty.Helovedtostrollalongthebeach,andreadthenamesontheboatsdrawnupthere,forallwerethenamesofsaints;anditwasalmostasgoodasgoingtochurchtoreadthelonglistofSaintBrunos,SaintFrancises,andSaintUrsulas.Amongthefishermenwasonewhohadalwaysakindwordforthelad,whoenjoyed a sail or a chat with Marco whenever nothing better turned up toamusehisleisurehours.Nowinhistroubleherememberedhim,andwenttothebeachtoaskhelp,forhefeltillaswellassadandhungry.Yes,theresatthegoodfelloweatingthebreadandmacaronihislittledaughterhadbrought forhisdinner,andasmilewelcomedpoorTinoashesatdownbesidethisonlyfriendtotellhisstory.Marcogrowled in his blackbeard and shookhis knifewith an awful frownwhenheheardhowtheladhadbeendeserted.Thenhesmiled,pattedTino's

back, thrust the copper basin of food into one hand and a big lump of thebrown-breadintotheother,invitinghimtoeatinsuchacordialwaythatthepoormealtastedbetterthanthedaintyfareatthehotel.Adraughtof redwine fromthegourdcheeredTinoup,asdid thegoodandkindwords, andwhenMarco bade him go homewith littleManuela to thegoodwife,hegladlywent,feelingthathemustliedownsomewhere,hisheadwassogiddyandthepaininthebreastsosharp.BuxomTeresareceivedhimkindly,puthimstraight tobedinherownboy'slittleroom,laidacoolclothonhishothead,awarmoneonhisachingchest,and lefthim tosleep,muchcomfortedbyhermotherlycare. Itwaswell thegoodsoulbefriendedhim,forheneededhelpsorely,andwouldhavefaredillifthosehumblefolkhadnottakenhimin.For aweek or two he lay in Beppo's bed burningwith fever, andwhen hecouldsitupagainwastoofeebletodoanythingbutsmilegratefullyandtrytohelpManuelamendnets.Marcowouldhearofnothanks,saying,"Gooddeedsbring good luck. Behold my haul of fish each day thou hast been here,poverino!Iamwellpaid,andSaintPeterwillblessmyboatforthysake."Tinowasveryhappyinthelittledark,shabbyhousethatsmeltofonions,fish,and tar,was fullofbrownchildren,and theconstantclackofTeresa's livelytongue as she gossiped with her neighbors, or fried polenta for the hungrymouthsthatneverseemedfilled.But the timecamewhenTinocouldgoabout,and thenhebeggedforwork,anxious tobe independentandearna little so that in thespringhecouldgohomewithoutemptypockets."Ihave taken thought for thee,myson,andworkwarmandeasy is ready ifthouwiltdoit.MyfriendTommasoNeri,makesthegoodmacaroninearby.Heneedsaboytomindthefireandseetothedonkeywhogrindsbelowthere.Food,shelter,andsuchwagesasthouartabletoearn,hewillgivethee.Shallitbe?"Tinogratefullyaccepted,andwithheartyembracesallroundwentoffonedayto seehisnewplace. Itwas in theoldpartofNice, anarrow,dirty street, alittleshopwithonewindowfullofthecheapersortsofthisfavoritefoodofallItalians,andbehindtheshoparoomwhereanoldwomansatspinningwhiletwolittleboysplayedwithpineconesandprettybitsofmarbleatherfeet.Afatjollyman,withashiningfaceandloudvoice,greetedMarcoandthelad,saying he "wasworn to a threadwithmuchwork, since that bad imp of adonkey-boy had run away leaving the blessed macaroni to spoil, and poorCarmelita to perish for want of care. Come below at once, and behold thedesolationoftheplace."

Withthatheledthewaytothecellar,whereasmallfurnace-fireburned,andan old gray donkeywent round and round, turning awheelwhich set someunseen machinery in motion with a dismal creaking sound. Down throughmany holes in one part of the wooden floor overhead came long pipes ofmacaroni,hardeningastheyhungquiveringinthehotairtillstiffenoughtobecutoffinhandfulsandlaidtodryonwiretraysoverthefurnace.Tinohadneverseenthegoodmacaronimadebefore,andwasmuchinterestedintheprocess,thoughitwasoftherudestkind.InaroomupstairsagreatvatofflourandwaterwaskeptstirringroundandroundandforceddowntotheplacebelowbythecreakingwheelwhichpatientCarmelitaturnedallday.Thecellarwas dark butwarm; and Tino felt that it would be comfortable therewiththeolddonkeyforacomrade,jollyTommasoforamaster,andenoughtoeat,--foritwasevidentthefamilylivedwell,soplumpandshiningwereallthefaces,socheerythetempersoftheoldwomenandlittlelads.ThereMarcolefthim,wellsatisfiedthathehaddonehisbestforthepoorboy;andthereTinolivedforthreemonths,busy,wellfed,andcontented,tillspringsunshinemadehimlongfor thesweetair, thegreenfields,anddearfacesatValrose.Tommasowaslazybutkind,andiftheday'sworkwasdoneintime,letTinoouttoseeMarco'schildrenortorunonthebeachwithlittleJacopoand Seppi. The grandmother gave him plenty of rye bread, thin wine, andmacaronifriedinoil;oldCarmelitalearnedtolovehimandtoleanhergrayheadonhisshoulderwithjoyfulwaggingsofherlongearsashecaressedher,andeachweekincreasedthelittlehoardinanoldshoehiddenbehindabeam.Butitwasadulllifeforaboywholovedmusic,flowers,light,andfreedom;and he soon grew tired of seeing only a procession of legs go by the lowwindowslevelwiththestreet;thecreakofthewheelwasnothalfsowelcomeasthebriskrattleof themillathome,andthefat little ladsalwaysclimbingover him could not be so dear as sister Stella and prettyAnnina, thewine-maker's daughter, atValrose.Even the kind oldwomanwhooften saved anorangeforhim,andgavehimagayredcottonhandkerchiefonhisbirthday,waslesstohistastethanMariuccia,whoadoredhiminspiteofherscoldingandsternways.Sohe looked about for travellers going toGenoa; andonehappyday as hereturned from church, he saw, sitting under two red umbrellas before twoeaselsbeside the road, the twoelderly ladiesof thehotel.Bothworebrownhatslikemushrooms;bothhadgraycurlsbobbinginthewind;andbothwerepaintingawayfordearlife,tryingtogetagoodsketchoftheruinedgateway,wherepassion-flowersclimbed,androsesnoddedthroughthebars.Tinostoppedtolook,asmanyanotherpasser-byhaddone;andglancinguptoseeifheadmiredtheirwork,thegoodladiesrecognizedtheir"SaintJohn,"asthey called the pretty boy who had vanished before they could finish the

picturestheyhadbegunofhim.Theyweresogladtoseehimthatheopenedhishearttothem,andfoundtohisgreatjoythatinaweektheyweretodrivetoGenoa,andwouldgladlytakehim along if hewould sit to themmeantime.Of course he agreed, and ranhometotellhismasterthathemustgo.Tommasobewailedhisloss,butwouldnot keep him; and asMarco's son Beppo was willing to take his place tillanotherladcouldbefound,TinowasfreetositinasheepskinfortheMissesBlairasoftenastheyliked.Itwasaveryhappyweek;andwhenthelong-desireddaycameat last,Tinowassogayhedancedandsangtillthedingycellarseemedtobefullofbirdsin high spirits. Poor Carmelita gratefully ate the cabbage he gave her as afarewelloffering;theoldwomanfoundherboxfullofherfavoritesnuff;andeachsmallboygrewmoreshinythaneveroveranewtoypresentedbyTino.Tommasoweptasheheldhiminhisfatarms,andgavehimabundleofhalf-bakedmacaroniasa reward forhis faithful service,whileMarcoandallhisfamilystoodatthehoteldoortoseethecarriagedepart."Really quite like awedding,with all those orange-flowers and roses," saidMiss Priscilla, as Teresa andManuela threw great bunches of flowers intotheirlaps,andkissedtheirhandstothedepartingtravellers.Sittingproudlyaloft,Tinowavedhisoldhattothesegoodfriendstillhecouldseethemnomore,thenhaving,withsomedifficulty,bestowedhislongbundlefromTommaso,hisbasketoffishfromMarco,hissmallparcelofclothes,andtheimmensebouquetthechildrenhadmadeforhim,hegavehimselfuptotheraptureofthatlovelyAprilday.Thekindladieshadgivenhimanewsuitofclothesliketheoldones,andpaidhim well besides; so he felt quite content with the picturesque peasantgarmentshewore,havinghadenoughoffinefeathers,andgayly jingled themoneyinhispocket,thoughitwasnotthefortunehehadfoolishlyhopedtomakesoeasily.Hewasawiserboythantheonewhowentoverthatroadsixmonthsbefore,anddecided thateven ifhisvoicedidcomeback in time,hewouldbeinnohurrytoleavehometillhewassureitwasthewisestthingtodo.Hehadsomeveryseriousthoughtsandsensibleplansinhisyounghead,and for a time was silent and sober. But soon the delicious air, the lovelyscenery, and the many questions of the ladies raised his spirits, and hechatteredawaytilltheystoppedfordinner.Allthatlongbrightdaytheydrovealongthewonderfulroad,andasnightfell,sawValroselyinggreenandpeacefulinthevalleyastheypausedonthehill-toptoenjoyitsbeauty.Thentheywentslowlydownto theFalcone,andthemoment the luggagewas taken in, roomssecured,anddinnerordered,Tino,whohadbeenquiveringwithimpatience,saideagerly,--

"Dear signoras, now I go to my own people to embrace them; but in themorningwecometothankyouforyourgreatkindnesstome."MissPriscillaopenedhermouthtosendsomemessage;butTinowasofflikeanarrow,andneverstoppedtillheburstintothelittlekitchenwhereMariucciasatshellingdrybeans,andStellawaspackingmandarinasindaintybasketsformarket.Likeanaffectionatelittlebeardidtheboyfalluponandembracethetwoastonishedwomen;whileStella laughedandcried,andMariucciacalledonallthesaintstobeholdhowtallandfatandbeautifulherangelhadbecome,and to thank them for restoringhim to their arms.Theneighbors rushed in;andtilllatethatnighttherewasthesoundofmanyvoicesinthestonecottageundertheoldfig-tree.Tino'sadventureswerelistenedtowiththedeepestinterest,andaveryheartywelcome given him. All were impressed with the splendors he had seen,afflicted by his trials, and grateful for his return. No one laughed orreproached,butregardedhimasaveryremarkablefellow,andpredictedthatwhether his voice came back or not, hewas born for good luck andwouldprosper.Soatlasthegottobedintheoldloft,andfellasleepwiththesamefriendlymoonlookinginathimasitdidbefore,onlynowitsawaquietface,a very happy heart, and a contented boy, glad to be safe again under thehumbleroofthatwashishome.Early nextmorning a little procession of threewent to the Falcone bearinggrateful offerings to the dear signoras who sat on the portico enjoying thebalmy air that blew up from the acres of flowers below. First came Tino,bearingagreatbasketofthedeliciouslittleorangeswhichonenevertastesintheirperfectionunlessoneeatsthemfreshfromthetree;thenStellawithtwoprettyboxesofperfume;andbringinguptherear,oldMariucciawithabluejarofherbesthoney,whichlikeallthatofValrosewasfamous.Theladiesweremuchdelightedwiththesegifts,andpromisedtostopandseethe givers of themon their return fromGenoa, if they came thatway.Tinotookagratefulfarewellofthegoodsouls;Stellakissedtheirhands,withherdarkeyesfulloftenderthanks,andMariucciabeggedthesaintstohavethemintheirspecialkeepingbylandandbysea,fortheirkindnesstoherboy.An hour later, as the travellers drove down the steep road from the village,theywerestartledbyasuddenshowerofvioletsandroseswhichraineduponthem from a high bank beside the path.Looking up, they sawTino and hissisterlaughing,wavingtheirhands,andtossingflowersastheycalledintheirmusicallanguage,--"Arivederla,signoras!Grazia,grazia!"tillthecarriagerolledroundthecornerlookingasifitwereCarnival-time,sofullwasitoffragrantvioletsandlovelyroses.

"Nicecreatures!howprettilytheydothings!Ihopeweshallseethemagain;and Iwonder if theboywill everbe famous.Suchapity to lose that sweetvoiceofhis!"saidMissMaria,theyoungerofthesisters,astheydrovealonginanestofsweetandprettygifts."Ihopenot,forhewillbemuchsaferandhappierinthischarmingplacethanwanderingabouttheworldandgettingintotroubleasthesesingersalwaysdo.Ihopehewillbewiseenoughtobecontentedwiththeplaceinwhichhislotiscast," answered Miss Priscilla, who knew the world and had a good old-fashionedloveforhomeandallitgivesus.Shewasright;Tinowaswise,andthoughhisvoicedidcomebackintime,itwasnolongerwonderful;andhewascontentedtoliveonatValrose,abusy,happy,humblegardenerallhislife,sayingwithalaughwhenaskedabouthisrunawayadventures,--"Ah,Ihavehadenoughofmusicandmacaroni;Iprefermyflowersandmyfreedom."

VI.THELITTLEREDPURSE.

Among the presentswhichLu found on her tenth birthdaywas a pretty redplush purse with a steel clasp and chain, just like mamma's, only muchsmaller.Initweretenbrightnewcents,thatbeingthesumLureceivedeachweektospendassheliked.Sheenjoyedallhergiftsverymuch;butthisoneseemed to please her evenmore than the French doll in blue silk, the pearlring,or"AliceinWonderland,"--threethingswhichshehadwantedforalongtime."It is socunning,and thesnapmakessucha loudnoise,and thechain is soniceonmyarm,andtheplushsoredandsoft,Ican'thelplovingmydearlittlepurse. I shall spend all the money for candy, and eat it every bit myself,becauseitismybirthday,andImustcelebrateit,"saidLu,asshehoveredlikeabeeroundahoney-potaboutthetablewherethegiftswerespread.Nowshewasinagreathurrytogooutshopping,withthenewpurseproudlycarried in her small fat hand. Aunty was soon ready, and away they wentacrossthepleasantPark,wheretheprettybabieswereenjoyingthelastwarmdaysofautumnastheyplayedamongthefallenleaves."Youwillbeillifyoueattencents'worthofcandyto-day,"saidaunty."I 'llsprinkleitalongthroughtheday,andeateachkindseppyrut; thentheywon'tintersturbme,Iamsure,"answeredLu,whostillusedfunnywords,and

alwaysgotinterruptanddisturbrathermixed.Justthenapoormanwhohadlosthislegscamecreepingalongwithatrayoflittleflower-potstosell."Onlyfivecents,miss.Helpanunfortnitman,please,mum.""Let me buy one for my baby-house. It would be sweet. Cora Pinky Maywouldlovetohavethatdarlinglittleroseinherbestparlor,"criedLu,thinkingofthefinenewdoll.Auntymuchpreferredtohelpthepoormanthantobuycandy,sotheflower-potwassoonbought,thoughthe"red,redrose"wasunlikeanyeverseeninagarden."NowI'llhavefivecentsformytreat,andnodangerofbeingill,"saidLu,astheywentonagain.Butinafewmomentsanewbeggarappeared,andLu'stenderheartwouldnotletherpasstheoldwomanwithoutdroppingtwoofherbrightcentsinthetincup."Docometothecandy-placeatonce,orInevershallgetany,"beggedLu,astheredpursegrewlighterandlightereveryminute.Three sticks of candy were all she could buy, but she felt that she couldcelebratethebirthdayonthat,andwasreadytogohomeandbeginatonce.Astheywentontogetsomeflowerstodressthecakeattea-time,Lusuddenlystoppedshort,liftedbothhands,andcriedoutinatoneofdespair,--"Mypurse!mypurse!I'velostit.Oh,I'velostit!""Leftitinthestoreprobably.Comeandlookforit,"saidaunty;andbacktheyturned, just in time tomeet a shabby little girl running after themwith thepreciousthinginherhand."Ain'tthisyours?Ithoughtyoudroppedit,andwouldhatetoloseit,"shesaid,smilingpleasantly."Oh,Ishould.It'sspandynew,andIloveitdearly.I'vegotnomoremoneytopay you, only this candy; do take a stick," andLu presented the red barleysugar.Thelittlegirltookitgladly,andranoff."Well,twostickswilldo.I'dratherloseeverybitofitthanmydarlingpurse,"saidLu,puttingitcarefullyinherpocket."Ilovetogivethingsawayandmakepeoplehappy,"beganLu,butstoppedtowatchadogwhocameuptoher,wagginghistailasifheknewwhatakindlittlegirlshewas,andwantedtobemadehappy.Sheputoutherhandtopathim,quite forgetting the smallparcel in it;but thedogsnapped itupbefore

shecouldsaveit."Oh,mylaststick!Ididn'tmeantogiveittohim.Younaughtydog,dropitthisminute!"criedpoorLu.Butthebeautifulpinkcreamcandywasforeverlost,andtheungratefulthiefran off, after a vain attempt to eat the flower-pot also. Itwas so funny thataunty laughed, and Lu joined her, after shaking her finger at the dog, whobarkedandfriskedasifhefeltthathehaddoneacleverthing."NowIamquitesatisfied,andyouwillhaveapleasanterbirthdayforhavingmade four people and a dog happy, instead of yourself sickwith toomanygoodies.Charity isanicesortofsweetie;andIhopeyouwillbuy thatkindwithyourpocket-moneynowandthen,mydear,"saidaunty,astheywalkedonagain."CouldIdomuchwithtencentsaweek?"askedLu."Yes,indeed;youcouldbuyalittlebookforlameSammy,wholovestoread,orafewflowersformysickgirlat thehospital,ora loafofbreadforsomehungryperson,ormilkforapoorbaby,oryoucouldsaveupyourmoneytillChristmas,andgetpresentsforchildrenwhootherwisewouldhavenone.""CouldIdoall those things?I'd like togetpresentsbest,andIwill--Iwill!"criedLu, charmedwith the idea of playingSantaClaus. "I did n't think tencentswouldbesouseful.HowlongtoChristmas,aunty?""Abouttenweeks.Ifyousaveallyourpocket-moneytillthen,youwillhaveadollartospend.""Atrulydollar!Howfine!ButallthattimeIshouldn'thaveanycandy.Idon'tthink I couldget alongwithout some.Perhaps if Iwasverygood someonewouldgivemeabitnowandthen;"andLulookedupwithhermostengagingsmileandatwinkleinhereye."Wewillseeaboutthat.Perhaps'someone'willgiveextracentsforworkyoumaydo,andleaveyoutodecidewhichkindofsweetiesyouwouldbuy.""WhatcanIdotoearnmoney?"askedLu."Well,youcandryandfoldthepapereverymorningforgrandpa.Iwillpayyou a cent for that, because nurse is apt to forget it, andhe likes to have itnicely ready for him after breakfast. Then youmight run up and down formamma,andhemsometowelsforme,andtakecareofJipandtheparrot.Youwillearnagooddealifyoudoyourworkregularlyandwell.""Ishallhavedreadfultrialsgoingbythecandy-shopsandneverbuyingany.Idolongsotogoin thatIhaveto lookawaywhenyousayNo.Iwant tobegoodandhelppoorpeople,butI'mafraiditwillbetoohardforme,"sighedLu,foreseeingthetemptationsbeforeher.

"Wemightbeginto-day,andtrythenewplanforawhile.Ifitistoohard,youcan give it up; but I think you will soon like my way best, and have themerriestChristmasyoueverknewwiththemoneyyousave."Luwalkedthoughtfullyhome,andputtheemptypurseaway,resolvedtoseehowlongshecouldholdout,andhowmuchshecouldearn.Mammasmiledwhensheheardtheplan,butatonceengagedthelittlegirltodoerrandsaboutthe house at a cent a job, privately quite sure that her pretty expresswouldsoonstoprunning.Grandpapawaspleasedtofindhispaperready,andnoddedand patted Lu's curly head when she told him about her Christmas plans.Mary, themaid, was glad to get rid of combing Jip and feeding Polly, andaunty made towel hemming pleasant by telling stories as the little needle-womandidtwohemsaday.Everycentwentintotheredpurse,whichLuhungononeofthegiltpegsofthe easel in the parlor, for she thought it very ornamental, and hopedcontributionsmightdropinoccasionally.Nonedid;butaseveryonepaidherin bright cents, therewas soon a finedisplay, and the little baggrewheavywithdelightfulrapidity.OnlyoncedidLuyieldtotemptation,andthatwaswhentwoweeksofself-denialmadehertrialssogreatthatshefeltasifshereallymustrewardherself,asnooneelseseemedtorememberhowmuchlittlegirlslovedcandy.Oneday she lookedpale, anddidnotwant anydinner, saying she felt sick.Mammawasaway, soauntyputheron thebedand satbyher, feelingveryanxious,asscarlet-feverwasabout.ByandbyLutookherhandkerchiefout,andthere,stickingtoit,wasalargebrowncough-drop.Luturnedred,andhidherface,sayingwithapenitentsob,"Idon'tdeservetobecuddled.I'vebeenselfishandsilly,andspent someofmymoney forcandy. Ihada littlecold,and I thought cough-dropswoulddomegood. I ate a goodmany, and theywerebitterandmademesick,andI'mgladofit."Auntywantedtolaughatthedearlittlesinnerandherfunnyideaofchoosingbittercandyasasortofself-denial;butshecomfortedherkindly,andsoontheinvalidwas skipping about again, declaring that she neverwould do so anymore.Nextdaysomethinghappenedwhichhelpedherverymuch,andmadeiteasierto like the newkind of sweeties better than the old. Shewas in the dining-roomgetting an apple for her lunch,when she saw a little girl come to thelowerdoortoaskforcoldfood.Thecookwasbusy,andsentheraway,tellingherbeggingwasforbidden.Lu,peepingout,sawthelittlegirlsitdownonthestepstoeatacoldpotatoasifshewasveryhungry,andwhilesheateshewastryingtotieonapairofveryoldbootssomeonehadgivenher.Itwasarainyday,andshehadonlyashawloverherhead;herhandswereredwithcold;her

gownwas a faded cotton one; and her big basket seemed to have very fewscrapsinit.Sopoor,sosad,andtireddidshelook,thatLucouldnotbeartoseeit,andshecalledoutinherpitifulchild'svoice,--"Come in and get warm, little girl. Don't mind old Sarah. I 'll give yousomething toeat, and lendyoumyrubberbootsandwaterproof togohomein."The poor child gladly went to sit by the comfortable fire, while Lu withhospitable haste got crackers and cheese and cake and apples, and her ownsilver mug of milk, for her guest, forgetting, in her zeal, to ask leave.Fortunatelyauntycamedownforherownlunchintimetoseewhatwasgoingon,andfoundLubusilybuttoningthewaterproof,whilethelittlegirlsurveyedherrubberbootsandsmallumbrellawithpride."I'monlylendingmythings,andshewillreturnthemto-morrow,aunty.Theyaretoosmallforme,andtheumbrellaisbroken;andI'dlovetogivethemalltoLucyifIcould.Shehastogooutintheraintogetfoodforherfamily,likeabird,andIdon't.""Birdsdon'tneedwaterproofsandumbrellas,"beganaunty;andbothchildrenlaughedattheideaofsparrowswithsuchthings,butlookedalittleanxioustillaunty went on to say that Lucy could have these comforts, and to fill thebasketwithsomethingbetterthancoldpotatoes,whilesheaskedquestionsandheardthesadlittlestory:howfatherwasdead,andthebabysick,somothercouldnotwork, and theboyshad topickup chips andcinders toburn, andLucybeggedfoodtoeat.Lulistenedwithtearsinherblueeyes,andagreatdealofpityaswellasadmirationforpoorlittleLucy,whowasonlynine,yethad so many cares and troubles in her life.While aunty went to get someflannelforbaby,Luflewtoherredpurseandcountedouttencentsfromherstore,feelingsorich,sogladtohaveitinsteadofanemptybonbonbox,andaheadacheafteracandyfeast."Buysomenice freshmilk for littleTotty, and tellher I sent it--allmyself--withmy love.Comeagain to-morrow,and Iwill tellmammaall aboutyou,andyoushallbemypoorpeople,andI'llhelpyouifIcan,"shesaid,fullofinterestandgood-will, for thesightof thischildmadeherfeelwhatpovertyreallywas,andlongtolightenitifshecould.Lucy was smiling when she went away, snug and dry in her comfortableclothes,withthefullbasketonherarm;andallthatdayLutalkedandthoughtabout her "own poor people," andwhat she hoped to do for them.Mammainquired, and finding them worthy of help, let her little girl send manycomfortstothechildren,andlearnhowtobewiselycharitable."I shall give allmymoney tomy 'Lucychildren' onChristmas," announcedLu, as that pleasant time drew near. "I knowwhat theywant, and though I

can'tsavemoneyenoughtogivethemhalfthethingstheyneed,maybeIcanhelpagooddeal,andreallyhaveanicebundletos'prisethemwith."ThisideatookpossessionoflittleLu,andsheworkedlikeabeaverinallsortsof funnyways to fill herpursebyChristmas-time.One thing shedidwhichamusedherfamilyverymuch,thoughtheywereobligedtostopit.Ludancedvery prettily, and often hadwhat she called ballets before shewent to bed,whenshetrippedabouttheparlorlikeafairyinthegaycostumesauntymadeforher.Asthepursedidnotfillasfastasshehoped,Lutookitintoherheadonefinedaytogoroundthesquarewhereshelived,withhertambourine,anddanceassomeofthegirlswiththehand-organmendid.Soshedressedherselfinherredskirtandblackvelvetjacket,andwithafurcaponherheadandabluecloakoverhershoulders,slippedoutintothequietsquare,andgoingtothe farther corner, began to dance and beat her tambourine on the sidewalkbeforeahousewheresomelittlechildrenlived.Assheexpected,theysooncamerunningtothewindow,andwerecharmedtosee the pretty dancer whirling to and fro, with her ribbons flying and hertambourine bells ringing, till her breath was gone. Then she held up theinstrumentandnoddedsmilinglyatthem;andtheythrewdowncentswrappedinpaper,thinkinghermusicmuchbetterthananytheorganmenmade.Muchencouraged,Luwentonfromhousetohouse,andwasdoingfinely,whenoneoftheladieswholookedoutrecognizedthechild,andaskedherifhermotherknewwhereshewas.Luhadtosay"No;"andtheladysentamaidtotakeherhomeatonce.Thatspoiledall thefun;andpoorLudidnothearthelastofherprankforalong time. But she hadmade forty-two cents, and felt comforted when sheadded that handsome sum to her store. As if to console her for thisdisappointment, after that day several bright ten-cent pieces got into the redpurseinamostmysteriousmanner.Luaskedeveryoneinthehouse,andalldeclaredthattheydidnotdoit.Grandpacouldnotgetoutofhischairwithouthelp,andnursesaidshenevertookthepursetohim;soofcourseitcouldnotbehewhoslippedinthosewelcomebitsofsilver.Luaskedhim;buthewasverydeafthatday,anddidnotseemtounderstandheratall."Itmustbe fairies," she said,ponderingover thepuzzle, as she countedhertreasureandpackeditaway,fornowthelittleredpursewasfull."Auntysaysthere are no fairies; but I like to think so. Perhaps angels fly around atChristmas-time as they did long ago, and love to help poor people, and putthosebeautifulbrightthingsheretoshowthattheyarepleasedwithme."Shelikedthatfancy,andauntyagreedthatsomegoodspiritmusthavedoneit,andwassuretheywouldfindoutthesecretsometime.Lucycameregularly;andLualwaystriedtoseeher,andsolearnedwhatsheand Totty and Joe and Jimmy wanted, but never dreamed of receiving

Christmas morning. It did both little girls much good, for poor Lucy wascomfortedby thekindnessof these friends, andLu learnedabout far hardertrials than thewantof sugarplums.ThedaybeforeChristmas shewentonagrandshoppingexpeditionwithaunty,forthepursenowheldthreedollarsandsevencents.Shehadspentsomeofitfortriflesforher"Lucychildren,"andhadnotearnedasmuchassheoncehoped,variousfitsofidlenessandothermoreamusingbutlessprofitableworkhavinglessenedherwages.Butshehadenough, thanks to the good spirit, to get toys and books and candy for herfamily, and went joyfully away Christmas Eve to carry her little basket ofgifts, accompanied by auntywith a larger store of comforts for the gratefulmother.Whentheygotback,Luentertainedhermotherwithanaccountofthedelightofthechildren,whoneverhadsuchaChristmasbefore."They could n'twait tillmorning, and I could n't either, andweopened thebundlesrightaway;andtheyscreamed,mamma,andjumpedforjoyandateeverythingandhuggedme.Andthemothercried,shewassopleased;andtheboyscango toschoolallneatnow,andsocouldLucy,onlyshehas to takecareofTottywhilehermothergoestowork.Oh,itwaslovely!IfeltjustlikeSantaClaus,onlyhedoesn'tstaytoseepeopleenjoytheirthings,andIdid."HereLustoppedforbreath,andwhenshegotit,hadafineballetastheonlywaytoworkoffherexcitementatthesuccessofher"s'prise."Itwasatrialtogotobed,butshewentatlast,anddreamedthather"Lucychildren"allhadwings, and were flying round her bed with tambourines full of heavenlybonbons,which they showered down upon her;while aunty in an immensenightcapstoodbyclappingherhandsandsaying,"Eatallyoulike,dear;thissortwon'thurtyou."Morningcameverysoon;andshepoppedupherhead toseea longknobbystocking hanging from themantel-piece.Out of bed skipped the littlewhitefigure,andbackagain,whilecriesofjoywereheardasthetreasuresappearedone by one. There was a tableful beside the stocking, and Luwas so busylookingat themthatshewas late tobreakfast.Butauntywaitedforher,andtheywentdowntogethersometimeafterthebellrang."Let me peep and see if grandpa has found the silk handkerchief andspectacle-caseImadeforhim,"whisperedLu,astheypassedtheparlordoor,whichstoodhalfopen,leavingawidecrackfortheblueeyestospythrough.Theoldgentlemansat inhiseasy-chairasusual,waitingwhilenursegothisbreakfast;butwhatwashedoingwithhislongstaff?Luwatchedeagerly,andtohergreatsurprisesawhimleanforward,andwiththehookattheendtakethelittleredpurseofftheeasel,openit,andslipinasmallwhiteparcel,thenhangitonthegiltpegagain,putawaythecane,andsitrubbinghishandsand

laughingtohimselfatthesuccessofhislittletrick,quitesurethatthiswasasafetimetoplayit.Luwasabouttocryout,andrushin,butauntywhispered,"Don'tspoilhisfunyet.Goandseewhatisinthepurse,thenthankhiminthewayhelikesbest."SoLuskippedintotheparlor,tryingtolookveryinnocent,andrantoopenthedearredpurse,assheoftendid,eagertoseeifthegoodfairyhadaddedtothecharityfund."Why,here'sagreatgoldmedal,andsomequeer,shakywritingonthepaper.Pleaseseewhatitis,"saidLu,veryloud,hopinggrandpawouldhearherthistime,forhisfacewashiddenbehindthenewspaperhepretendedtoread."ForLu'spoor'spurse,fromSantaClaus,"readaunty,gladthatatlastthekindoldfairywasdiscoveredandreadyforhisreward.Luhadneverseenatwenty-dollargold-piecebefore;butshecouldnotstoptofindoutwhethertheshiningmedalwasmoneyoralocket,andrantograndpa,cryingasshepulledawaythepaperandthrewherarmsabouthisneck,--"I 've found you out, I 've found you out,my dear old SantaClaus!MerryChristmas,grandpa,andlotsofthanksandkisses!"Itwasprettytoseetherosycheekagainstthewrinkledone,thegoldenandthesilver heads close together, as the old man and the little girl kissed andlaughed,andbothtalkedatonceforafewminutes."Tellmeallabout it,youslygrandpa.Whatmadeyou thinkofdoing it thatway,andnotletanyoneknow?"criedLu,astheoldgentlemanstoppedtorestafterakindly"cuddle,"asLucalledthesecaresses."Well,dear,Ilikedtoseeyoutryingtodogoodwithyourlittlepennies,andIwantedtohelp.I'mafeebleoldman,tiedtomychairandofnousenow;butIlikeabitoffun,andlovetofeelthatitisnotquitetoolatetomakesomeonehappy.""Why,grandpa,youdoheapsofgood,andmakemany,manypeoplehappy,"saidLu,with another hug. "Mamma toldme all about the hospital for littlechildrenyoubuilt,andthemoneyyougavetothepoorsoldiersinthewar,andeversomanymoregoodthingsyou'vedone.Iwon'thaveyousayyouareofnousenow.Wewantyoutoloveandtakecareof;andwecouldn'tdowithoutyou,couldwe,aunty?"Auntysatonthearmofthechairwithherarmroundtheoldman'sshoulder,andheronlyanswerwasakiss.Butitwasenough,andgrandpawentonquitecheerfully,asheheldtwoplumphandsinhisown,andwatchedthebloomingfacethatlookedupathimsoeagerly:"When Iwas younger, I lovedmoney, andwanted a great deal. I cared fornothingelse,andworkedhardtogetit,anddidgetitafteryearsofworry.But

itcostmemyhealth,andthenIsawhowfoolishIhadbeen,forallmymoneycouldnotbuymeanystrengthorpleasureandverylittlecomfort.Icouldnottake itwithmewhen I died, and did not knowwhat to dowith it, becausetherewassomuch.SoItriedtoseeifgivingitawaywouldnotamuseme,andmakeme feel better about havingwastedmy life insteadof using itwisely.Themore I gave away the better I felt; andnow I'mquite jolly, though I'monlyahelplessoldbaby just fit toplay jokesand love littlegirls.Youhavebegunearlyatthisprettygameofgive-away,mydear,andauntywillseethatyoukeepitup;so thatwhenyouareoldyouwillhavemuchtreasure in theotherworldwheretheblessingsofthepooraremorepreciousthangoldandsilver."Nobodyspokeforaminuteasthefeebleoldvoicestopped;andthesunshinefellonthewhiteheadlikeablessing.ThenLusaidverysoberly,assheturnedthegreatcoininherhand,andsawthelettersthattolditsworth,--"What shall I dowith all thismoney? I neverhad somuch, and I 'd like tospend it in some very good and pleasantway.Can you think of something,aunty,soIcanbeginatoncetobelikegrandpa?""Howwouldyouliketopaytwodollarsamonth,sothatTottycangototheSunnysideNursery,andbetakencareofeverydaywhileLucygoestoschool?Thenshewillbesafeandhappy,andLucybelearning,asshelongstodo,andthemotherfreetowork,"saidaunty,gladtohavethisdearchildearlylearntohelpthoselessblessedthanherself."Could I?How splendid itwould be to pay for a real live baby allmyself!Howlongwouldmymoneydoit?"saidLu,charmedwiththeideaofalivingdollytocarefor."Allwinter,andprovideclothesbesides.Youcanmakethemyourself,andgoandseeTotty,andcallheryourbaby.Thiswillbeasweetcharityforyou;andto-day isagoodday tobegin it, for this is thebirthdayof theDivineChild,whowasborninapoorerplaceeventhanLucy'ssister.InHisnamepityandhelpthisbaby,andbesureHewillblessyouforit."LulookedupatthefinepictureoftheGoodShepherdhangingoverthesofawithholly-leavesglisteningroundit,andfeltasifshetooinherhumblewaywasabouttotakeahelplesslittlelambinherarmsandcomfortit.Herchildishfacewasverysweetandsoberasshesaidsoftly,--"Yes,IwillspendmyChristmasmoneyso;for,aunty,Idothinkyoursortofsweetie is better thanmine, andmakingpeoplehappy amuchwiserway tospendmypenniesthaninbuyingthenicestcandyintheworld."Little Lu remembered thatmorning long after the dear old grandfatherwasgone, and kept herChristmas promise sowell that very soon a larger pursewasneededforcharitymoney,whichsheusedsowiselyandsohappily.But

allher life inonecornerofherdesk laycarefully foldedup,with thebitofpaperinside,thelittleredpurse.

VII.SOPHIE'SSECRET.

I.

Apartyofyounggirls,intheirgaybathing-dresses,weresittingonthebeachwaitingfor the tide torisea littlehigherbefore theyenjoyedthedailyfrolicwhichtheycalled"mermaiding.""Iwishwecouldhaveaclam-bake;butwehaven'tanyclams,anddon'tknowhowtocookthemifwehad.It'ssuchapityalltheboyshavegoneoffonthatstupid fishing excursion," said one girl, in a yellow-and-black striped suitwhichmadeherlooklikeawasp."Whatisaclam-bake?Idonotknowthatkindoffête,"askedaprettybrown-eyedgirl,withanaccentthatbetrayedtheforeigner.Thegirlslaughedatsuchsadignorance,andSophiecolored,wishingshehadnotspoken."Poor thing! shehasnever tasted a clam.What shouldwedo ifwewent toSwitzerland?"saidthewasp,wholovedtotease."Weshouldgiveyouthebestwehad,andnotlaughatyourignorance,ifyoudidnotknowallourdishes.Inmycountry,wehavepoliteness,thoughnottheclam-bake,"answeredSophie,witha flashof thebrowneyeswhichwarnednaughtyDitodesist."Wemightrowtothelight-house,andhaveapicnicsupper.Ourmammaswillletusdothatalone,"suggestedDorafromtheroofof thebath-house,wheresheperchedlikeaflamingo."That'sagoodidea,"criedFanny,aslenderbrowngirlwhosatdabblingherfeetinthewater,withherhairstreaminginthewind."Sophieshouldseethat,andgetsomeoftheshellsshelikessomuch.""Youarekindtothinkofme.Ishallbegladtohaveanecklaceoftheprettythings,asasouvenirofthissocharmingplaceandmygoodfriend,"answeredSophie, with a grateful look at Fanny, whosemany attentions had won thestranger'sheart."Thoseboyshaven'tleftusasingleboat,sowemustdiveofftherocks,andthat isn'thalfsonice,"saidDi, tochangethesubject,beingashamedofherrudeness.

"A boat is just coming round the Point; perhapswe can hire that, and havesomefun,"criedDora,fromherperch."Thereisonlyagirlinit;I'llhailherwhensheisnearenough."Sophielookedabouthertoseewherethehailwascomingfrom;buttheskywasclear,andshewaitedtoseewhatnewmeaningthiswordmighthave,notdaringtoaskforfearofanotherlaugh.Whilethegirlswatchedtheboatfloataroundthefartherhornofthecrescent-shapedbeach,weshallhavetimetosayafewwordsaboutourlittleheroine.Shewas a sixteen-year-oldSwiss girl, on a visit to someAmerican friends,andhadcometotheseasideforamonthwithoneofthemwhowasaninvalid.This left Sophie to the tendermercies of the youngpeople; and they gladlywelcomedtheprettycreature,withherfinemanners,foreignways,andmanyaccomplishments. But she had a quick temper, a funny little accent, anddressedsoveryplainlythatthegirlscouldnotresistcriticisingandteasingherinawaythatseemedveryill-bredandunkindtothenew-comer.Their free and easyways astonished her, their curious language bewilderedher;andtheirignoranceofmanythingsshehadbeentaughtmadeherwonderat the American education she had heard somuch praised. All had studiedFrench and German; yet few read or spoke either tongue correctly, orunderstood her easily when she tried to talk to them. Their music did notamount to much, and in the games they played, their want of usefulinformationamazedSophie.Onedidnotknowthesignsofthezodiac;anothercouldonlysayofcottonthat"itwasstuffthatgrewdownSouth;"andathirdwasnotsurewhetherafrogwasananimalorareptile,whilethehandwritingandspellingdisplayedontheseoccasionsleftmuchtobedesired.Yetallwerefifteenorsixteen,andwouldsoonleaveschool"finished,"astheyexpressedit, but not furnished, as they should have been, with a solid, sensibleeducation.Dresswasanall-absorbingtopic,sweetmeats theirdelight;andinconfidentialmomentssweetheartswerediscussedwithgreatfreedom.Fatherswere conveniences, mothers comforters, brothers plagues, and sistersornamentsorplaythingsaccording to theirages.Theywerenothard-heartedgirls,onlyfrivolous,idle,andfondoffun;andpoorlittleSophieamusedthemimmenselytilltheylearnedtoadmire,love,andrespecther.ComingstraightfromParis,theyexpectedtofindthathertrunkscontainedthelatest fashions for demoiselles, and begged to see her dresses with girlishinterest. But when Sophie obligingly showed a few simple, but pretty andappropriategownsandhats,theyexclaimedwithonevoice,--"Why, you dress like a little girl! Don't you have ruffles and lace on yourdresses; and silks and high-heeled boots and long gloves and bustles andcorsets,andthingslikeours?"

"Iamalittlegirl,"laughedSophie,hardlyunderstandingtheirdismay."WhatshouldIdowithfinetoiletsatschool?Mysistersgotoballsinsilkandlace;butI--notyet.""Howqueer!Isyourfatherpoor?"askedDi,withYankeebluntness."Wehaveenough,"answeredSophie,slightlyknittingherdarkbrows."Howmanyservantsdoyoukeep?""Butfive,nowthatthelittleonesaregrownup.""Haveyouapiano?"continuedundauntedDi,whiletheothersaffectedtobelookingatthebooksandpicturesstrewnaboutbythehastyunpacking."Wehavetwopianos,fourviolins,threeflutes,andanorgan.Welovemusic,andallplay,frompapatolittleFranz.""Mygracious, how swell!Youmust live in a bighouse tohold all that andeightbrothersandsisters.""Wearenotpeasants;wedonot live inahut.Voilà, this ismyhome."AndSophie laid before them a fine photograph of a large and elegant house onlovelyLakeGeneva.Itwasdrolltoseethechangeinthefacesofthegirlsastheylooked,admired,andslylynudgedoneanother,enjoyingsaucyDi'sastonishment, forshehadstoutlyinsistedthattheSwissgirlwasapoorrelation.Sophiemeanwhilewas foldingupherplainpiquéandmuslin frocks,withaglimmerofmirthfulsatisfactioninhereyes,andatenderprideintheworkoflovinghandsnowfaraway.Kind Fanny saw a little quiver of the lips as she smoothed the blue corn-flowersinthebesthat,andputherarmaroundSophie,whispering,--"Nevermind, dear, theydon'tmean tobe rude; it's onlyourYankeewayofaskingquestions.Ilikeallyourthings,andthathatisperfectlylovely.""Indeed, yes! Dear mamma arranged it for me. I was thinking of her andlongingformymorningkiss.""Do you do that every day?" asked Fanny, forgetting herself in hersympatheticinterest."Surely, yes. Papa andmamma sit always on the sofa, andwe all have thehand-shakeandtheembraceeachdaybeforeourmorningcoffee.Idonotseethat here," answered Sophie, who sorely missed the affectionate respectforeignchildrengivetheirparents."Have n't time," said Fanny, smiling too, at the idea of American parentssittingstillforfiveminutesinthebusiestpartofthebusydaytokisstheirsonsanddaughters.

"Itiswhatyoucallold-fashioned,butasweetfashiontome;andsinceIhavenot the dearwarm cheeks to kiss, I embracemy pictures often. See, I havethemall."AndSophieunfoldedaRussia-leathercase,displayingwithpridealongrowofhandsomebrothersandsisterswiththeparentsinthemidst.Moreexclamationsfromthegirls,andincreasedinterestin"WilhelminaTell,"as they christened the loyal Swiss maiden, who was now accepted as acompanion,andsoonbecameafavoritewitholdandyoung.Theycouldnotresistteasingher,however,--hermistakesweresoamusing,herlittleflashesoftempersodramatic,andhertonguesoquicktogiveasharporwittyanswerwhen thenew languagedidnotperplexher.ButFannyalwaystookherpart,andhelpedherinmanyways.Nowtheysattogetherontherock,aprettypairofmermaidswithwind-tossedhair,wave-washedfeet,andeyesfixedontheapproachingboat.The girl who sat in it was a great contrast to the gay creatures grouped sopicturesquelyon theshore, for theoldstrawhatshadedaveryanxiousface,thebrowncalicogowncoveredaheart fullofhopesand fears,and theboatthatdriftedsoslowlywiththeincomingtidecarriedTillyReedlikeayoungColumbustowardthenewworldshelongedfor,believedin,andwasresolvedtodiscover.Itwasaweather-beatenlittleboat,yetverypretty;forapileofnetslayatoneend, a creel of red lobsters at the other, and all between stood baskets ofberries and water-lilies, purple marsh rosemary and orange butterfly-weed,shellsandgreatsmoothstonessuchasartistsliketopaintlittlesea-viewson.Atamegullperchedontheprow;andthemorningsunshineglitteredfromthebluewatertothebluersky."Oh,howpretty!Comeon,please, and sell us some lilies," criedDora, androusedTillyfromherwakingdream.Pushingbackherhat,shesawthegirlsbeckoning,feltthatthecriticalmomenthad come, and catching up her oars, rowed bravely on, though her cheeksreddened and her heart beat, for this venture was her last hope, and on itssuccessdependedthedesireofherlife.Astheboatapproached,thewatchersforgotitscargotolookwithsurpriseandpleasureatitsrower,forshewasnotthe rough country lass they expected to see, but a really splendid girl offifteen, tall,broad-shouldered,bright-eyed,andblooming,withacertain shydignityofherownandaverysweetsmile,asshenoddedandpulledinwithstrong,steadystrokes.Beforetheycouldofferhelp,shehadrisen,plantedanoarinthewater,andleapingtotheshore,pulledherboathighuponthebeach,offeringherwareswithwistfuleyesandaveryexpressivewaveofbothbrownhands."Everythingisforsale,ifyou'llbuy,"saidshe.

Charmedwiththenoveltyofthislittleadventure,thegirls,afterscamperingtothe bathing-houses for purses and portemonnaies, crowded around the boatlikebutterfliesaboutathistle,alleagertobuy,andtodiscoverwhothisbonnyfisher-maidenmightbe."Oh,seethesebeauties!""Adozenliliesforme!""Alltheyellowflowersforme, they'll be so becoming at the dance to-night!" "Ow! that lob bitesawfully!" "Where do you come from?" "Why have we never seen youbefore?"Theseweresomeof theexclamationsandquestionsshowereduponTilly,asshefilledlittlebirch-barkpannierswithberries,dealtoutflowers,ordispensedhandfulsofshells.Hereyesshone,hercheeksglowed,andherheartdancedinherbosom;forthiswasabetterbeginningthanshehaddaredtohopefor,andasthedimestinkledintothetinpailsheusedforhertill, itwasthesweetestmusicshehadeverheard.Thisheartywelcomebanishedhershyness;andintheseeager,girlishcustomersshefounditeasytoconfide."I 'm from the light-house. You have never seenme because I never camebefore,exceptwithfishforthehotel.ButImeantocomeeveryday,iffolkswillbuymythings,forIwanttomakesomemoney,andthisistheonlywayinwhichIcandoit."Sophieglancedattheoldhatandwornshoesofthespeaker,anddroppingabrighthalf-dollarintothepail,saidinherprettyway:"Formealltheselovelyshells.Iwillmakenecklacesofthemformypeopleathomeassouvenirsofthischarmingplace.Ifyouwillbringmemore,Ishallbemuchgratefultoyou.""Oh, thank you! I 'll bring heaps; I know where to find beauties in placeswhere other folks can't go. Please take these; you paid too much for theshells;"andquicktofeelthekindnessofthestranger,Tillyputintoherhandsalittlebarkcanoeheapedwithredraspberries.Not to be outdone by the foreigner, the other girls emptied their purses andTilly'sboatalsoofallbutthelobsters,whichwereorderedforthehotel."Is that jollybird forsale?"askedDi,as the lastberryvanished,pointing tothegullwhowasswimmingnearthemwhilethechatterwenton."Ifyoucancatchhim,"laughedTilly,whosespiritswerenowthegayestoftheparty.Thegirlsdashedintothewater,andwithshrieksofmerrimentswamawaytocapturethegull,whopaddledoffasifheenjoyedthefunasmuchasthey.Leavingthemtosplashvainlytoandfro,Tillyswungthecreeltohershoulderandwentofftoleaveherlobsters, longingtodanceandsingtothemusicofthesilverclinkinginherpocket.

Whenshecameback,thebirdwasfaroutofreachandthegirlsdivingfromher boat, which they had launched without leave. Too happy to care whathappenednow,Tillythrewherselfdownonthewarmsandtoplananewandstillfinercargofornextday.Sophie came and sat beside her while she dried her curly hair, and in fiveminutes her sympathetic face and sweet ways had won Tilly to tell all herhopesandcaresanddreams."Iwant schooling,and Imean tohave it. I 'vegotno folksofmyown;anduncle hasmarried again, so he does n't needme now. If I only had a littlemoney,Icouldgotoschoolsomewhere,andtakecareofmyself.LastsummerIworkedatthehotel,butIdidn'tmakemuch,andhadtohavegoodclothes,andthattookmywagesprettymuch.Sewingisslowwork,andbaby-tendingleavesmenotimetostudy;soI'vekeptonathomepickingberriesanddoingwhat I could to pick up enough to buy books.Aunt thinks I 'm a fool; butuncle,hesays,'Goahead,girl,andseewhatyoucando.'AndImeantoshowhim!"Tilly's brown hand came down on the sandwith a resolute thump; and herclearyoungeyeslookedbravelyoutacrossthewidesea,asiffarawayinthebluedistanceshesawherhopehappilyfulfilled.Sophie's eyes shoneapproval, for sheunderstood this loveof independence,and had come to America because she longed for new scenes and greaterfreedom thanhernative landcouldgiveher.Education is a largeword, andboth girls felt that desire for self-improvement that comes to all energeticnatures.Sophiehadlaidagoodfoundation,butstilldesiredmore;whileTillywasjustclimbingupthefirststeepslopewhichrisestotheheightsfewattain,yetallmaystrivefor."Thatisbeautiful!Youwilldoit!IamgladtohelpyouifImay.See,Ihavemanybooks;willyoutakesomeofthem?Cometomyroomto-morrowandtakewhatwillbestpleaseyou.Wewillsaynothingofit,anditwillmakemeatrulygreatpleasure."AsSophiespoke,herlittlewhitehandtouchedthestrong,sunburnedonethatturnedtomeetandgraspherswithgratefulwarmth,whileTilly'sfacebetrayedthe hunger that possessed her, for it looked as a starving girl's would lookwhenofferedagenerousmeal."I will come. Thank you somuch! I don't know anything, but just blunderalong and do the best I can. I got so discouraged Iwas real desperate, andthought I 'dhaveone try, and see if I couldn't earnenough togetbooks tostudythiswinter.Folksbuyberriesatthecottages;soIjustaddedflowersandshells, and I 'm going to bring my boxes of butterflies, birds' eggs, andseaweeds. I 've got lots of such things; and people seem to like spending

moneydownhere.IoftenwishIhadalittleofwhattheythrowaway."Tilly paused with a sigh, then laughed as an impatient movement caused asilverclink;andslappingherpocket,sheaddedgayly,--"Iwon'tblame'emifthey'llonlythrowtheirmoneyinhere."Sophie'shandwent involuntarily towardherownpocket,where layaplumppurse, for papa was generous, and simple Sophie had few wants. Butsomethingin the intelligentfaceoppositemadeherhesitate toofferasagiftwhatshe felt sureTillywould refuse,preferring toearnhereducation if shecould."Comeoften,then,andletmeexchangethesestupidbillsforthelovelythingsyoubring.Wewillcomethisafternoontoseeyouifwemay,andIshalllikethebutterflies.Itrytocatchthem;butpeopletellmeIamtoooldtorun,soIhavenotmany."Proposedinthisway,Tillyfell intothelittle trap,andpresentlyrowedawaywithallhermighttosetherpossessionsinorder,andputherpreciousearningsin a safe place. Themermaids clung about the boat as long as they dared,makingaprettytableaufortheartistsontherocks,thenswamtoshore,morethanevereagerforthepicniconLight-houseIsland.Theywent,andhadamerrytime;whileTillydidthehonorsandshowedthemaroomfulloftreasuresgatheredfromearth,air,andwater,forsheledalonelylife, and found friends among the fishes, made playmates of the birds, andstudiedrocksandflowers,cloudsandwaves,whenbookswerewanting.Thegirlsboughtgulls'wingsfortheirhats,queerandlovelyshells,eggsandinsects,seaweedsandcarvedwood,andfortheirsmallbrothers,birchbasketsandtoyships,madebyUncleHiram,whohadbeenasailor.WhenTillyhadsoldnearlyeverythingshepossessed (forFannyandSophieboughtwhatever the others declined), shemade a fire of drift-wood on therocks,cookedfishforsupper,andkeptthemtillmoonrise, tellingseastoriesorsingingoldsongs,asifshecouldnotdoenoughforthesegoodfairieswhohadcometoherwhenlifelookedhardestandthefutureverydark.Thensherowedthemhome,andpromisingtobringloadsoffruitandflowerseveryday,went back along a shining road, to find a great bundle of books in herdismantledroom,andtofallasleepwithweteyelashesandahappyheart.,,class::centermedium

II.

ForamonthTillywentdailytothePointwithacargoofprettymerchandise,

for her patrons increased; and soon the ladies engagedher berries, the boysorderedboatsenoughtosupplyanavy, thechildrenclamoredforshells,andthegirlsdependedonherforbouquetsandgarlandsforthedancesthatendedevery summer day.UncleHiram's fishwas in demandwhen such a comelysaleswoman offered it; so he let Tilly have her way, glad to see the oldtobacco-pouchinwhichshekepthercashfillfastwithwell-earnedmoney.She really began to feel that her dreamwas coming true, and shewould beabletogotothetownandstudyinsomegreatschool,ekingoutherlittlefundwithlightwork.Theothergirlssoonlosttheirinterestinher,butSophieneverdid;andmanyabookwenttotheislandintheemptybaskets,manyahelpfulwordwassaidover the liliesorwildhoneysuckleSophie lovedtowear,andmanyalessonwasgiveninthebareroominthelight-housetowerwhichnooneknewaboutbutthegullsandthesea-windssweepingbythelittlewindowwherethetwoheadsleanedtogetheroveronepage."Youwill do it, Tilly, I am very sure. Such awill and such amemorywillmakeawayforyou;andonedayIshallseeyouteachingasyouwish.Keepthebraveheart,andallwillbewellwithyou," saidSophie,when thegrandbreaking-upcame inSeptember, and thegirlswerepartingdownbehind thedesertedbathhouses."Oh,MissSophie,whatshouldIhavedonewithoutyou?Don'tthinkIhaven'tseenandknownallthekindthingsyouhavesaidanddoneforme.I'llneverforget 'em;andIdohopeI 'llbeabletothankyousomeday,"criedgratefulTilly,withtearsinhercleareyesthatseldomweptoverherowntroubles."Iamthankedifyoudowell.Adieu;writetome,andrememberalwaysthatIamyourfriend."Then they kissed with girlish warmth, and Tilly rowed away to the lonelyisland;whileSophie lingeredon theshore,herhandkerchieffluttering in thewind,tilltheboatvanishedandthewaveshadwashedawaytheirfootprintsonthesand.,,class::centermedium

III.

December snowwas falling fast, and the wintry windwhistled through thestreets;but itwaswarmandcosey in the luxuriousparlorwhereDiandDoweresittingmakingChristmaspresents,andplanningwhattheywouldwearatthepartyFannywastogiveonChristmasEve."IfIcangetmammatobuymeanewdress,Ishallhavesomethingyellow.It

isalwaysbecomingtobrunettes,andI'msotiredofred,"saidDi,givingalasttouchtothelacethattrimmedabluesatinsachetforFanny."Thatwill be lovely. I shall have pink,with roses of the same color.Undermuslin it is perfectly sweet." And Dora eyed the sunflower she wasembroideringasifshealreadysawthenewtoiletbeforeher."Fanalwayswearsblue,soweshallmakeanicecontrast.Sheiscomingovertoshowmeaboutfinishingoffmybanner-screen;andIaskedSophietocomewithher. Iwant toknowwhat she isgoing towear," saidDi, takinga littlesniffattheviolet-scentedbag."Thatoldwhitecashmere. Just think! Iaskedherwhyshedidn'tgetanewone, and she laughed and said she could n't afford it. Fan toldme Sophie'sfathersentherahundreddollarsnotlongago,yetshehasn'tgotathingthatweknowof.Idothinkshe'smean.""Sheboughtagreatbundleofbooks.Iwastherewhentheparcelcame,andIpeeped while she was out of the room, because she put it away in a greathurry.I'mafraidsheismean,forsheneverbuysabitofcandy,andshewearsshabbybootsandgloves,andshehasmadeoverheroldhatinsteadofhavingthatlovelyonewiththepheasant'sbreastinit.""She's very queer; but I can't help liking her, she's so pretty and bright andobliging. I 'dgiveanything if Icouldspeak three languagesandplayas shedoes.""Sowould I. It seems so elegant to be able to talk to foreigners. Papa hadsomeFrenchmentodinnertheotherday,andtheyweresopleasedtofindtheyneed n't speak English to Sophie. I could n't get on at all; and I was somortifiedwhen papa said all themoneyhe had spent onmy languageswasthrownaway.""Iwouldn'tmind.It'ssomucheasiertolearnthosethingsabroad,shewouldbeagooseifshedidn'tspeakFrenchbetterthanwedo.There'sFan!shelooksasifsomethinghadhappened.Ihopenooneisillandthepartyspoiled."AsDoraspoke,bothgirlslookedouttoseeFannyshakingthesnowfromherseal-skinsackonthedoorstep;thenDohastenedtomeether,whileDihidthesachet,andwashardatworkonanold-goldsofacushionwhenthenew-comerentered."What's the matter? Where's Sophie?" exclaimed the girls together, as Fanthrewoffherwrapsandsatdownwithatragicsigh."Shewillbealonginafewminutes.I'mdisappointedinher!Iwouldn'thavebelieved it if I hadn't seen them.Promisenot tobreathe aword to a livingsoul,andI'lltellyousomethingdreadful,"beganFanny,inatonethatcausedherfriendstodroptheirworkanddrawtheirchairsnearer,as theysolemnly

vowedeternalsilence."I 've seen Sophie's Christmas presents,--all but mine; and they are justnothing at all!Shehasn't bought a thing, not even ribbons, lace, or silk, tomakeupprettilyaswedo.Onlyapaintedshell forone,anacornemeryforanother,herivoryfanwithanewtasselforathird,andIsuspectoneofthosenice handkerchiefs embroidered by the nuns for me, or her silver filigreenecklace.Isawtheboxinthedrawerwiththeotherthings.She'sknitwoollencuffsandtippetsforthechildren,andgotsomeeight-centcalicogownsfortheservants.Idon'tknowhowpeopledothingsinSwitzerland,butIdoknowthatifIhadahundreddollarsinmypocket,Iwouldbemoregenerousthanthat!"AsFannypaused,outofbreath,DiandDogroanedinsympathy,forthiswasindeedasadstateofthings;becausethegirlshadacodethatChristmasbeingtheseasonforgifts,extravagancewouldbeforgiventhenasatnoothertime."Ihavea lovelysmelling-bottle forher;but I 'veagreatmindnot togive itnow," criedDi, feeling defrauded of the bracelet she had plainly hinted shewouldlike."Ishallheapcoalsoffireonherheadbygivingherthat;"andDoradisplayedaveryuselessbutveryprettyapronofmuslin,lace,andcarnationribbon."Itisn'ttheworthofthethings.Idon'tcareforthatsomuchasIdoforbeingdisappointed in her; and I have been lately in more ways than one," saidFanny, listlessly takingup thescreenshewas to finish."Sheused to tellmeeverything,andnowshedoesn't.I'msureshehassomesortofasecret;andIdothinkIoughttoknowit.Ifoundhersmilingoveraletteroneday;andshewhiskedit intoherpocketandneversaidawordabout it. Ialwaysstoodbyher,andIdofeelhurt.""I should think youmight! It's real naughty of her, and I shall tell her so!Perhapsshe'llconfideinyouthen,andyoucanjustgivemeahint;Ialwaysliked Sophie, and never thought of not giving my present," said Dora,persuasively,forbothgirlswerenowdyingwithcuriositytoknowthesecret."I'llhaveitoutofher,withoutanydodgingorbribing.I'mnotafraidofanyone,andIshallaskherstraightout,nomatterhowmuchshescowlsatme,"saiddauntlessDi,withathreateningnod."Theresheis!Letusseeyoudoitnow!"criedFanny,asthebellrang,andaclearvoicewasheardamomentlateraskingifMademoisellewasin."Youshall!"andDilookedreadyforanyaudacity."I'llwageraboxofcandythatyoudon'tfindoutathing,"whisperedDo."Done!"answeredDi,andthenturnedtomeetSophie,whocameinlookingasfreshasanAlpinerosewiththewintrywind.

"Youdearthing!wewerejusttalkingofyou.Sithereandgetwarm,andletusshowyouourgifts.Wearealmostdone,butitseemsasifitgottobeaharderjobeachChristmas.Don'tyoufinditso?""Butno;Ithinkitthemostcharmingworkofalltheyear,"answeredSophie,greetingherfriend,andputtingherwell-wornbootstowardthefiretodry."Perhaps you don't make as much of Christmas as we do, or give suchexpensivepresents.Thatwouldmakeagreatdifference,youknow,"saidDi,assheliftedaclothfromthetablewhereherowngenerousstoreofgiftswassetforth."I had a piano last year, a set of jewels, andmany pretty trifles from all athome.Here is one;" and pulling the fine gold chain hidden under her frills,Sophie showed a locket set thick with pearls, containing a picture of hermother."Itmustbesonice toberich,andable tomakesuchfinepresents. I 'vegotsomethingforyou;butIshallbeashamedofitafterIseeyourgifttome,I'mafraid."FanandDorawereworkingasiftheirbreaddependedonit,whileDi,withanaughtytwinkleinhereye,affectedtoberearrangingherprettytableasshetalked."Donotfearthat;mygiftsthisyearareverysimpleones.Ididnotknowyourcustom, and now it is too late. My comfort is that you need nothing, andhavingsomuch,youwillnotcareformy--whatyoucall--comingshort."Was it the fire thatmade Sophie's face look so hot, and a cold that gave ahuskysortoftonetoherusuallyclearvoice?Acuriousexpressioncameintoher face as her eyes roved from the table to the gay trifles in her friend'shands;andsheopenedherlipsasiftoaddsomethingimpulsively.Butnothingcame, and for amoment she looked straight out at the storm as if she hadforgottenwhereshewas."'Shortcoming'istheproperwaytospeakitButnevermindthat,andtellmewhyyousay'toolate'?"askedDi,bentonwinningherwager."Christmascomesinthreedays,andIhavenotime,"beganSophie."Butwithmoneyonecanbuyplentyoflovelythingsinoneday,"saidDi."No,itisbettertoputalittleloveandhardworkintowhatwegivetofriends,Ihavedonethatwithmytrifles,andanotheryearIshallbemoreready."Therewas anuncomfortablepause, forSophiedidnot speakwithherusualfrankness,butlookedbothproudandashamed,andseemedanxioustochangethesubject,as shebegan toadmireDora'swork,whichhadmadevery littleprogressduringthelastfifteenminutes.

FannyglancedatDiwithasmilethatmadetheothertossherheadandreturntothechargewithrenewedvigor."Sophie,willyoudomeafavor?""Withmuchpleasure.""DohaspromisedmeawholeboxofFrenchbonbons,andifyouwillanswerthreequestions,youshallhaveit.""Allons,"saidSophie,smiling."Haven'tyouasecret?"askedDi,gravely."Yes.""Willyoutellus?""No."Di paused before she asked her last question, and Fan and Dora waitedbreathlessly,whileSophieknitherbrowsandlookeduneasy."Whynot?""BecauseIdonotwishtotellit.""Willyoutellifweguess?""Try.""Youareengaged."AtthisabsurdsuggestionSophielaughedgayly,andshookhercurlyhead."Doyouthinkwearebetrothedatsixteeninmycountry?""Iknowthatisanengagementring,--youmadesuchatimeaboutitwhenyoulostitinthewater,andcriedforjoywhenTillydivedandfoundit.""Ah, yes, Iwas trulyglad.DearTilly, never do I forget that kindness!" andSophie kissed the little pearl ring in her impulsive way, while her eyessparkledandthefrownvanished."Iknowasweetheartgaveit,"insistedDi,surenowshehadfoundaclewtothesecret."Hedid,"andSophiehungherheadinasentimentalwaythatmadethethreegirlscrowdnearerwithfacesfullofinterest."Dotellusallaboutit,dear.It'ssointerestingtohearlove-stories.Whatishisname?"criedDora."Hermann," simpered Sophie, drooping still more, while her lips trembledwithsuppressedemotionofsomesort."Howlovely!"sighedFanny,whowasveryromantic.

"Tellon,do!Ishehandsome?""Tomethefinestmaninalltheworld,"confessedSophie,asshehidherface."Andyoulovehim?""I adore him!" and Sophie clasped her hands so dramatically that the girlswerealittlestartled,yetcharmedatthisdiscovery."Haveyouhispicture?"askedDi,feelingthatshehadwonherwagernow."Yes,"andpullingout the locketagain,Sophie showed in theother side thefaceofafineoldgentlemanwholookedverylikeherself."It'syourfather!"exclaimedFanny,rollingherblueeyesexcitedly."Youareahumbug!"criedDora."Thenyoufibbedaboutthering,"saidDi,crossly."Never!Itismamma'sbetrothalring;butherfingergrewtooplump,andwhenIlefthomeshegavetheringtomeasacharmtokeepmesafe.Ah,ha!Ihavemylittle jokeaswellasyou,andthelaughisformethis time."Andfallingbackamongthesofacushions,Sophieenjoyeditasonlyagaygirlcould.Doand Fanny joined her; but Di was much disgusted, and vowed she woulddiscoverthesecretandkeepallthebonbonstoherself."Youaremostwelcome;butIwillnottelluntilIlike,andthentoFannyfirst.Shewillnothaveridicule forwhat Ido,butsay it iswell,andbegladwithme.Comenowandwork.Iwillplaittheseribbons,orpaintawildroseonthisprettyfan.Itistooplainnow.WillyouthatIdoit,dearDi?"Thekind toneand theprospectof suchanornament tohergiftappeasedDisomewhat;butthemirthfulmaliceinSophie'seyesmadetheothermorethaneverdeterminedtobeevenwithherbyandby.Christmas Eve came, and foundDi still in the dark, which fact nettled hersadly, for Sophie tormented her and amused the other girls by pretendedconfidences and dark hints at the mystery which might never, never bedisclosed.Fanhaddeterminedtohaveanunusually jollyparty;sosheinvitedonlyherchosenfriends,andopenedthefestivitieswithaChristmastree,astheprettiestwayofexchanginggiftsandproviding jokes for theevening in theshapeofdelusivebottles,animalsfullofcandy,andeverysortofmusicalinstrumenttobeusedinanimpromptuconcertafterward.Thepresentstooneanotherweredoneupinsecureparcels,sothattheymightburstuponthepubliceyeinalltheirfreshness.DiwasverycurioustoknowwhatFanwasgoingtogiveher,--forFannywasagenerouscreatureandlovedtogive.DiwasalittlejealousofherloveforSophie,andcouldn'tresttillshediscoveredwhichwastogetthefinergift.Soshewentearlyandslippedintotheroomwherethetreestood,topeepand

pickabit,aswellastohangupafewtriflesofherown.Sheguessedseveralthingsbyfeelingtheparcels;butoneexcitedhercuriosity intensely,andshecouldnotresistturningitaboutandpullinguponecornerofthelid.Itwasaflatbox,prettilyornamentedwithsea-weedslikeredlace,andtiedwithscarletribbons.Atantalizingglimpseofjeweller'scotton,goldclasps,andsomethingrose-coloredconqueredDi'slastscruples;andshewasjustabouttountietheribbonswhensheheardFanny'svoice,andhadonlytimetoreplacethebox,pick up a paper that had fallen out of it, and fly up the back stairs to thedressing-room,whereshefoundSophieandDorasurveyingeachotherasgirlsalwaysdobeforetheygodown."Youlooklikeadaisy,"criedDi,admiringDorawithgreat interest,becauseshefeltashamedofherprying,andthestolennoteinherpocket."And you like a dandelion," returnedDo, falling back a step to get a goodviewofDi'sgold-coloreddressandblackvelvetbows."Sophieisalilyofthevalley,allingreenandwhite,"addedFanny,cominginwithherownblueskirtswavinginthebreeze."It doesme verywell. Little girls do not need grand toilets, and I am fineenoughfora'peasant,'"laughedSophie,asshesettledthefreshribbonsonhersimplewhite cashmere and the hollywreath in her brown hair, but secretlylongingforthefinedressshemighthavehad."Whydidn'tyouwearyoursilvernecklace?Itwouldbelovelyonyourprettyneck,"saidDi,longingtoknowifshehadgiventhetrinketaway.ButSophiewasnot tobecaught,andsaidwithacontentedsmile,"IdonotcareforornamentsunlesssomeoneIlovegivesmethem.Ihadredrosesformybouquetdecorsage;butthepoorMadamePagewassotriste,I left themonher table to rememberherofme. It seemedsoheartless togoanddancewhileshehadonlypain;butshewishedit.""Dear little Sophie, how good you are!" and warm-hearted Fan kissed thebloomingfacethatneedednorosestomakeitsweetandgay.Halfanhourlater,twentygirlsandboysweredancingroundthebrillianttree.Then its boughswere stripped. Every one seemed contented; even Sophie'slittlegiftsgavepleasure,becausewitheachwentamerryoraffectionateverse,whichmadegreatfunonbeingreadaloud.Shewasquiteloadedwithprettythings,andhadnowordstoexpresshergratitudeandpleasure."Ah,youareallsogoodtome!andIhavenothingbeautifulforyou.Ireceivemuch and give little, but I cannot help it! Wait a little and I will redeemmyself,"shesaidtoFanny,witheyesfulloftears,andalapheapedwithgayandusefulthings."Never mind that now; but look at this, for here's still another offering of

friendship,andaverycharmingone,tojudgebytheoutside,"answeredFan,bringingthewhiteboxwiththesea-weedornaments.Sophieopenedit,andcriesofadmirationfollowed,forlyingonthesoftcottonwas a lovely set of coral.Rosy pink branches, highly polished and fastenedwithgoldclasps, formednecklace,bracelets, anda spray for thebosom.Nonoteorcardappeared,andthegirlscrowdedroundtoadmireandwonderwhocouldhavesentsovaluableagift."Can'tyouguess,Sophie?"criedDora,longingtoowntheprettythings."I should believe I knew, but it is too costly.How came the parcel, Fan? Ithinkyoumustknowall,"andSophieturnedtheboxabout,searchingvainlyforaname."Anexpressmanleftit,andJanetookoffthewetpaperandputitonmytablewiththeotherthings.Here'sthewrapper;doyouknowthatwriting?"andFanofferedthebrownpaperwhichshehadkept."No; and the label is all mud, so I cannot see the place. Ah, well, I shalldiscoversomeday,butIshouldliketothankthisgenerousfriendatonce.Seenow,howfineIam!Idomyselfthehonortowearthematonce."Smiling with girlish delight at her pretty ornaments, Sophie clasped thebraceletsonherroundarms, thenecklaceaboutherwhite throat,andset therosy spray in the lace on her bosom.Then she took a little dance down theroomandfoundherselfbeforeDi,whowaslookingatherwithanexpressionofnaughtysatisfactiononherface."Don'tyouwishyouknewwhosentthem?""Indeed,yes;"andSophiepausedabruptly."Well, Iknow,andIwon't tell till I like. It'smy turn tohaveasecret;andImeantokeepit.""Butitisnotright,"beganSophie,withindignation."Tellmeyours,andI'lltellmine,"saidDi,teasingly."Iwillnot!Youhavenorighttotouchmygifts,andIamsureyouhavedoneit, else how know youwho sends this fine cadeau?" cried Sophie,with theflashDilikedtosee.Here Fanny interposed, "If you have any note or card belonging to Sophie,giveitupatonce.Sheshallnotbetormented.Outwithit,Di.Iseeyourhandinyourpocket,andI'msureyouhavebeeninmischief.""Takeyouroldletter,then.Iknowwhat'sinit;andifIcan'tkeepmysecretforfun,Sophieshallnothavehers.ThatTillysentthecoral,andSophiespentherhundred dollars in books and clothes for that queer girl, who'd better stayamong her lobsters than try to be a lady," cried Di, bent on telling all she

knew,whileSophiewasreadingherlettereagerly."Is it true?"askedDora, for thefourgirlswere inacorner together,and therestofthecompanybusypullingcrackers."Justlikeher!Ithoughtitwasthat;butshewouldn'ttell.Tellusnow,Sophie,forIthinkitwastrulysweetandbeautifultohelpthatpoorgirl,andletussayhard things of you," criedFanny, as her friend lookedupwith a face and ahearttoofullofhappinesstohelpoverflowingintowords."Yes; I will tell you now. It was foolish, perhaps; but I did notwant to bepraised,andIlovedtohelpthatgoodTilly.Youknowsheworkedallsummerandmadealittlesum.Soglad,soproudshewas,andplannedtostudythatshemight go to school thiswinter.Well, inOctober the uncle fell very ill, andTillygaveallhermoneyforthedoctors.Theunclehadbeenkindtoher,shedidnotforget;shewasgladtohelp,andtoldnoonebutme.ThenIsaid,'WhatbettercanIdowithmyfather'sgiftthangiveittothedearcreature,andletherlosenotime?'Idoit;shewillnotatfirst,butIwriteandsay,'Itmustbe,'andshesubmits.Sheismadeneatwithsomelittledresses,andshegoesatlast,tobesohappyanddosowellthatIamproudofher.Isnotthatbetterthanfinetoilets and richgifts to thosewhoneednothing?Truly, yes!yet I confess itcost me pain to give up my plans for Christmas, and to seem selfish orungrateful.Forgivemethat.""Yes, indeed,youdeargenerous thing!"criedFanandDora, touchedby thetruth."ButhowcameTillytosendyousuchasplendidpresent?"askedDi."Shouldn'tthinkyou'dlikehertospendyourmoneyinsuchthings.""She did not. A sea-captain, a friend of the uncle, gave her these lovelyornaments,andshesendsthemtomewithaletterthatismorepreciousthanallthecoralinthesea.Icannotreadit;butofallmygiftsthisisthedearestandthebest!"Sophie had spoken eagerly, and her face, her voice, her gestures,made thelittlestoryeloquent;butwiththelastwordssheclaspedthelettertoherbosomas if itwell repaidher forall thesacrificesshehadmade.Theymightseemsmall toothers, but shewas sensitive andproud, anxious tobe loved in thestrangecountry, and fondofgiving, so it costhermany tears to seemmeanandthoughtless, togopoorlydressed,andbethoughthardlyofbythoseshewished to please. She did not like to tell of her own generosity, because itseemed likeboasting; and shewasnot sure that it hadbeenwise togive somuch.Therefore,shewaitedtoseeifTillywasworthyofthetrustreposedinher;andshenowfoundabalmformanywoundsinthelovingletterthatcamewiththebeautifulandunexpectedgift.Di listened with hot cheeks, and when Sophie paused, she whispered

regretfully,--"Forgiveme,Iwaswrong!I'llkeepyourgiftallmylifetorememberyouby,foryouarethebestanddearestgirlIknow."Thenwithahastykisssheranaway,carryingwithgreatcarethewhiteshellonwhichSophiehadpaintedadaintylittlepictureofthemermaidswaitingfortheprettyboatthatbroughtgoodfortunetopoorTilly,andthislessontothosewhowerehereafterherfaithfulfriends.

VIII.DOLLY'SBEDSTEAD.

"AuntPen,whereisAriadnetosleep,please?Iwantedtobringhercradle,butmammasaiditwouldtakeupsomuchroomIcouldnot."AndAlicelookedaboutherforaresting-placeforherdollyasanxiouslyasifAriadnehadbeenalivebaby."Can'tshelieonthesofa?"askedAuntPen,withthatsadwantofinterestinsuchimportantmatterswhichgrown-uppeoplesooftenshow."No,indeed!Someonewouldsitdownonher,ofcourse;andIwon'thavemydarling smashed.Youwouldn't like it yourself, aunty, and I 'm surprised atyourproposingsuchathing!"criedAlice,claspingherbabewithafacefullofmaternalindignation."Ibegyourpardon!Ireallyforgotthatdanger.I 'mnotsousedtoinfantsasyouare,andthataccountsforit.NowIthinkofit,there'salittlebedsteadupgarret,andyoucanhavethat.Youwillfinditdoneupinapaperinthegreatbluechestwhereallouroldtoysarekept."AppeasedbyAuntPen'sapology,Alicetrottedtotheattic,foundthebedstead,andcametrottingbackwithadisappointedlookonherface."Itissuchafunny,old-fashionedthingIdon'tknowthatAriadnewillconsenttolieinit.Anyway,Imustairthefeather-bedandpillowsfirst,orshewillgetcold. Iwish I couldwash the sheets too, theyare soyellow;but there isnotimenow,"saidthelittlegirl,bustlingroundasshespoke,andlayingthelittlebed-furnitureoutontherug."Everythingisquiteclean,mydear;Iamsureofthat,forIwashedthesheetsandcoverletmyselfnotlongago,becauseIfoundanestoflittlemicetherethelast time I looked,"answeredAuntPen,withhereyes fixed thoughtfullyonthesmallbedstead."Iguessyouusedtobefondofitwhenyouwerealittlegirl;andthat'swhy

youkeepitsonicelynow,isn'tit?"askedAlice,asshedustedthecarvedpostsandpattedthecanvassacking."Yes,there'squitealittleromanceaboutthatbed;andIloveitsothatInevercangiveitaway,butkeepitmendedupandinorderforthesakeofoldtimesandpoorVal,"saidAuntPen,smilingandsighinginthesamebreath."Oh,tellaboutit!Idoliketohearstories,andsodoesAriadne!"criedAlice,hastily opening dolly's eyes, that shemight express her interest in the onlywaypermittedher."Well,dear,I'lltellyouthistruetaleoflongago;andwhileyoulistenyoucanbemakinganewblanketfor thebed.Mrs.Mousenibbledholesintheotherone,andherbabiesmadeamessofit,soIburneditup.Hereisanicelittlesquareofflannel,andthereareblue,red,andgreenworstedsforyoutoworkroundtheedgeswith.""Nowthatisjustsplendid!Ilovetoworkwithcrewels,andI'llputlittlequirlsand things in thecorners. Icando itallmyself, so tellaway,please,aunty."AndAlicesettledherselfwithgreatsatisfaction,whileAriadnesatboltuprightinherownarmchair and stared atAuntPen in away thatwouldhavebeenveryembarrassing ifher roundblueeyeshadhadaparticleofexpression inthem."When I was about ten years old, it was the joy of my heart to go everySaturdayafternoontoseemynurse,BetseyBrown.Sheno longer livedout,butwasmarriedtoapilot,andhadahomeofherowndowninwhatweusedtocall'thewaterypart'ofthecity.Afunnylittlehouse,soclosetothewharvesthatwhenone lookedout thereweremastsgoing toandfroover thehouse-tops,andfromtheupperwindowsIcouldseetheblueocean."Betseyhadaboywithclubfeet,andabrotherwhowasdeformed;butBobbywasmypetplaymate,andValentinemybestfriend.Mychiefpleasurewasinseeinghimworkathisturning-lathe,forhewasveryingenious,andmadeallsortsofusefulandprettythings."But thebest thinghedidwas to cure the lame feet of his little nephew. Inthose days there were few doctors who attended to such troubles, and theywereveryexpensive; sopoorBobbyhadgonehobblingaboutever sincehewasbornwithhislittlefeetturnedin."UncleValcouldsympathizewithhim;andthoughheknewtherewasnocurefor his own crooked back, he did his best to help the boy.Hemade a verysimpleapparatusforstraighteningthecrippledfeet(just twowoodensplints,with wooden screws to loosen or tighten the pressure), and with patience,hope,andfaith,heworkedover thechild till the feetwereright,andBobbycouldrunandplaylikeotherchildren."

"Oh,AuntPen,wasn'tthatlovely?Anddidhereallydoitallhimself?Howclever he must have been!" cried Alice, puckering the new blanket in thepleasantinterestofthemoment."Hewasverycleverforaladofeighteen.Butthatwasnotallhedid.Bobby'scurewasalongone,andIonlysawthehappyendofit;yetIrememberhowweallrejoiced,andhowproudBetseywasofherbrother.Myfatherwroteanaccountof it for somemedical journal,and itwasmuch talkedabout inourlittlecircle;somuch,indeed,thatanauntofourswhohadalameboycametoseeValandtalkeditalloverwithhim."Valwasmuchpleased,andofferedtotryandcurehersonifshewouldlettheboycomeandlivewithhim;foritneededgreatskillandconstantcaretoworkthescrewsjustright,andtendthepoorlittlefeetgently."AuntDollysaidnoatonce to thatplan; forhowcouldshe letherpreciousboygoandliveinthatlittlehousedowninthepoorpartofthecity?"Therewasnootherway,however,forValwouldnotleavehissisterandhisbelovedlathe,andwaswiseenoughtoseehowimpossibleitwouldbetohavehisownwaywiththechildinahousewhereeveryoneobeyedhiswhimsandpettedhim,assuchafflictedchildrenusuallyarepetted."SoValstoodfirm,andforatimenothingwasdone."Iwasmuchinterestedintheaffair,andeverytimeIsawmycousinGusItoldhimwhatnicetimesIhaddownthere;howstrongandlivelyBobbywas,anddeclaredmyfirmbeliefthatValcouldcureeverydiseaseunderthesun."TheseglowingaccountsmadeGuswanttogo,andwhenhesethisheartonanythinghealwaysgotit;sointheendAuntDollyconsented,andGuswenttoboardinthelittlehouse,muchtothewonderofsomefolks."Theplansucceededcapitally,however,andGus thrived likeadandelion inspringtime;forsimplefood,plentyofair,nofoolishindulgence,andthemostfaithfulcare,builtup the little lad inaway thatastonishedanddelightedusall."The feet improved slowly; andValwas sure that in time theywouldbe allright,foreverythinghelpedonthegoodwork."Dearme,whathappydaysIusedtospendatBetsey's!SometimesIsaac,thejolly,bluffpilot,wouldtakeusoutinhisboat;andthenwhatrosycheeksandgoodappetiteswegot!SometimesweplayedinVal'sshop,andwatchedhimmakeprettythingsorhelpedhiminsomeeasyjob,forhelikedtohaveusnearhim.And,oh,myheart,whatdelicioussuppersBetseyused togetus in thefrontroom,whereallsortsofqueerseatreasureswerecollected,--shells,coral,andseaweed;oddpicturesofshipsandfish,andoldbooksfullofsailorsongsandthrillingtalesofwrecks."

"IwishIhadbeenthere!"interruptedAlice."Isthehouseallgone,aunty?""Allgone,dear,andeveryoneofthatmerrypartybutmyself,"answeredAuntPen,withasigh."Don'tthinkaboutthesadpartofit,butgoonandtellaboutthebed,please,"said Alice, feeling that it was about time this interesting piece of furnitureappearedinthestory."Well, thatwasmade to comfortmewhenGuswent home, as he did afterstayingtwoyears.Yes,hewenthomewithstraightfeet,theheartiest,happiestlittleladIeversaw."Iwasheart-brokenatlosingmyplaymate,andmournedforhimasbitterlyasachildcould,tillValcomfortedme,notonlybythecunningbedsteadformydoll,butbyahundredkindlywordsandacts,forwhichIneverthankedhimhalfenough."AuntDollyandmyfatherweresogratefulandpleasedatVal'ssuccesswithGus that theyhelpedhim inaplanhehadsomeyears later,whenhe tookalarger house in a better place, and with Betsey as nurse, opened a smallhospital for the cureof deformed feet. Itwas an excellent plan; and allwasgoing well, when poor Val wasted rapidly away, and died just as his workbegantobringhimmoneyandsomehonor.""Thatwasverybad!ButwhatbecameofBobbyandGus?"askedAlice,whowasnotofanagetocaremuchaboutthe"sadpart"ofanystory."Bob became a sea-captain, and was an excellent fellow till he went downwithhisshipinastormafterrescuingallhiscrew,eventothecabin-boy.I'mproudofBob,andkeepthosetwogreatpearlyshellsinmemoryofhim,forhebroughtthemtomeafterhisfirstvoyage."Aunt Pen's eyes lit up, and her voice rose as she spokewith real pride andaffectionofhonestCaptainBrown,whotoherwasalwayslittleBob."I like that, itwas sobraveandgood;but Idowishhehadbeen saved, forthenIcouldhaveseenhim.Andmaybehewouldhavebroughtmeabiggreenparrotthatcouldsayfunnythings.WhatbecameofGus?"askedAlice,afteramoment spent in thedelightful thought of owning agreenparrotwith a redtail."Ah,my dear, Iwish I knew!" exclaimedAunt Pen, so earnestly thatAlicedroppedherwork,astonishedatthechangeinthatusuallyquietface."Don't tell any more if you 'd rather not," said the little girl, feelinginstinctivelythatshehadtouchedsometenderstring.ButAuntPenonlystrokedhercurlyheadandwentoninasoftertone,withher eyes fixed upon a faded picture that had hung over herwork-table ever

sinceAlicecouldremember."I like to tell you, dear, because Iwant you to love thememoryof this oldfriendofmine.Guswent toseaalso,muchagainsthismother'swill, for theyearsspentinthelittlehousenearthewharfhadgiventheboyatasteforsaltwater,andhecouldnotovercomeit,thoughhetried."HesailedwithCaptainBoball roundtheworld,andwouldhavebeenwithhimonthatlastvoyageifasuddenwhimhadnotkepthimashore.Morethanthiswedon'tknow;andforsevenyearshavehadnotidingsofhim.Theothersgive him up, feeling sure that hewas lost in thewild hill-country of India,whitherhewentinsearchofadventures.Isupposetheyareright;butIcannotmakeittrue,andstillhopetoseethedearboyback,oratleasttohearsomenewsofhim.""Wouldn'thebe ratheranoldboynow,AuntPen?"askedAlice, softly; forshewantedtochaseawaytheloadofpainwithasmileifshecould."Blessmyheart,sohewould!Forty,at least.Well,well,heneverwillseemold tome, thoughhishairshouldbegraywhenhecomeshome."AndAuntPendid smileashereyeswentback to the fadedpicturewitha tender lookthatmadeAlice say timidly,while she laid her blooming cheek against heraunt'shand,--"WouldyoumindifIaskedifitwasGuswhogaveyouthisprettyring,andwasyoursweetheartonce?Mammatoldmeyouhadone,andhewasdead;soImustneveraskwhyyoudidn'tmarryasshedid.""Yes,hegavemethis,andwastocomebackinayearortwo;butIhaveneverseenhimsince, andnever shall, I fear, tillweallmeetover thegreat seaatlast."ThereAuntPenbrokedown,andspreadingherhandsbeforeherface,satsostillthatAlicefearedtostir.Evenhercarelesschild'sheartwasfullofpitynow;andtwogreattearsrolleddownuponthelittleblanket,toliesparklinglikedropsofdewintheheartoftheveryremarkableredroseshewasworkinginthemiddle.ThenitwasthatAriadnedistinguishedherself,andprovedbeyondadoubtthather blue china eyes were worth something. A large, brown, breezy-lookingmanhadbeenpeepinginfromthedoorforseveralmoments,andlisteninginthemostimpropermanner.NoonesawhimbutAriadne,andhowcouldshewarntheothers,poorthing,whenshehadn'tatongueinherhead?Don'ttellme that dolls have n't hearts somewhere in their sawdust bosoms! I knowbetter;andIamfirmlyconvincedthatAriadne'swasfullofsympathyforAuntPen; else why should she, a well-bred doll, suddenly and without the leastapparentcause,slipoutofherchairandfalluponherchinanosewithaloud

whack?Alicejumpeduptocatchherdarling,andAuntPenliftedherheadtoseewhatwas thematter, and thebigbrownman,givinghishat a toss, came into theroomlikeawhirlwind!Alice,Ariadne,bedstead,andblanket,weresuddenlyswept intoacornerbysomemysteriousmeans,andlaythereinaheap,whilethetwogrownpeoplefellintoeachother'sarms,exclaiming,--"Pen!""Gus!"I don't knowwhich stared the hardest at this dreadful proceeding, Alice orAriadne,butIdoknowthateveryonewasveryhappyafterward,andthatthepreciouslittlebedsteadwasnotsmashed,forIhaveseenitwithmyowneyes.

IX.TRUDEL'SSIEGE.

"Grandmother, what is this curious picture about?" said little Gertrude, or"Trudel,"astheycalledher,lookingupfromtheredbookthatlayonherknee,oneSundaymorning,whensheandthegrandmothersatsadlytogetherintheneatkitchen;forthefatherwasveryill,andthepoormotherseldomlefthim.Theoldwomanputonherroundspectacles,whichmadeherlookaswiseasanowl,andturnedtoanswerthechild,whohadbeenasquietasamouseforalongtime,lookingatthestrangepicturesintheancientbook."Ah,mydear,thattellsaboutaveryfamousandgloriousthingthathappenedlongagoatthesiegeofLeyden.Youcanreaditforyourselfsomeday.""Please tellmenow.Whyare thehouseshalfunderwater, andships sailingamongthem,andpeople leaningover thewallsof thecity?Andwhyis thatboywavinghishandsonthetower,wherethemenarerunningawayinagreatsmoke?" askedTrudel, too curious towait till she could read the long hardwordsontheyellowpages."Well,dear,thisisthestory:andyoushallhearhowbravemenandwomen,andchildrentoo,wereinthosedays.ThecruelSpaniardscameandbesiegedthecity formanymonths;but the faithfulpeoplewouldnotgiveup, thoughnearly starved to death. When all the bread and meat were gone and thegardensempty, theyategrassandherbsandhorses,andevendogsandcats,tryingtoholdouttillhelpcametothem.""Didlittlegirlsreallyeattheirpussies?Oh,I'ddiebeforeIwouldkillmydear

Jan,"criedTrudel,huggingtheprettykittenthatpurredinherlap."Yes,thechildrenatetheirpets.Andsowouldyouifitwouldsaveyourfatherormotherfromstarving.Weknowwhathungeris;butwewon'teatJanyet."The old woman sighed as she glanced from the empty table to the hearthwherenofireburned."Didhelpcomeintheships?"askedthechild,bendingherfaceoverthebooktohidethetearsthatfilledhereyes,forshewasveryhungry,andhadhadonlyacrustforbreakfast."OurgoodPrinceofOrangewastryingtohelpthem;buttheSpaniardswereallaroundthecityandhehadnotmenenoughtofightthembyland,sohesentcarrier-doveswithletterstotellthepeoplethathewasgoingtocutthroughthegreatdikesthatkepttheseaout,andletthewaterflowoverthecountrysoastodrive theenemyfromhiscamp, for thecitystooduponhighground,andwouldbesafe.Thentheships,withfood,couldsailoverthedrownedlandandsavethebravepeople.""Oh,I'mglad!I'mglad!ThesearethebadSpaniardsrunningaway,andthesearepoorpeoplestretchingout theirhandsfor thebread.Butwhat is theboydoing, in the funny towerwhere thewall has tumbleddown?" criedTrudel,muchexcited."ThesmokeofburninghousesrosebetweenthecityandtheportsothepeoplecouldnotseethattheSpaniardshadrunaway;andtheywereafraidtheshipscouldnotgetsafelyby.Butaboywhowasscramblingaboutasboysalwaysarewhereverthereisdanger,fire,andfighting,sawtheenemygo,andrantothedesertedtower toshoutandbeckonto theships tocomeonatonce,--forthe wind had changed and soon the tide would flow back and leave themstranded.""Niceboy!IwishIhadbeentheretoseehimandhelpthepoorpeople,"saidTrudel,pattingthefunnylittlefigurestickingoutofthepepper-pottowerlikeajack-in-the-box."Ifchildrenkeeptheirwitsaboutthemandarebrave,theycanalwayshelpinsomeway,mydear.Wedon'thavesuchdreadfulwarsnow;butthedearGodknows we have troubles enough, and need all our courage and faith to bepatient in times like these;" and thegrandmother foldedher thinhandswithanothersigh,asshethoughtofherpoorsondyingforwantofafewcomforts,afterworking longand faithfully forahardmasterwhonevercame toofferanyhelp,thoughaveryrichman."Didtheyeatthecarrier-doves?"askedTrudel,stillintentonthestory."No,child;theyfedandcaredforthemwhiletheylived,andwhentheydied,stuffedandsetthemupintheStaatHaus,sogratefulwerethebraveburghers

forthegoodnewsthedearbirdsbrought.""Thatisthebestpartofall.Ilikethatstoryverymuch!"AndTrudelturnedthepagestofindanother,littledreamingwhatacarrier-dovesheherselfwassoontobecome.Poor Hans Dort and his family were nearly as distressed as the besiegedpeople of Leyden, for poverty stood at the door, hunger and sickness werewithin,andnoshipwasanywhereseencomingtobringhelp.Thefather,whowasalinen-weaver,couldnolongerworkinthegreatfactory;themother,whowas a lace-maker, had to leave herwork to nurse him; and the oldwomancouldearnonlya triflebyherknitting,being lameand feeble.LittleTrudeldidwhatshecould,--soldthestockingstogetbreadandmedicine,pickedupwood for the fire, gathered herbs for the poor soup, and ran errands for themarket-women,who paid herwith unsalable fruit, withered vegetables, andnowandthenabitofmeat.Butmarket-daycamebutonceaweek;anditwasveryhardtofindfoodforthe hungry mouths meantime. The Dorts were too proud to beg, so theysufferedinsilence,prayingthathelpwouldcomebeforeitwastoolatetosavethesickandold.Nootherpicture in thequaintbook interestedTrudel somuchas thatof thesiegeofLeyden;andshewentback to it, thinkingover thestory tillhungermade her look about for something to eat as eagerly as the poor starvingburghers."Here,child,isagoodcrust.Itistoohardforme.Ikeptitforyou;it'sthelastexceptthatbitforyourmother,"saidtheoldwoman,pullingadrycrustfromherjacketwithasmile;forthoughstarvingherself,thebraveoldsoulthoughtonlyofherdarling.Trudel's littlewhite teethgnawedsavagelyat thehardbread,andJanate thecrumbsasifhetooneededfood.Asshesawhimpurringaboutherfeet,therecame into thechild'sheada sudden idea,bornof thebrave storyandof thecaresthatmadeheroldbeforehertime."PoorJangetsthinnerandthinnereveryday.Ifwearetoeathim,wemustdoitsoon,orhewillnotbeworthcooking,"shesaidwithacuriouslookonthefacethatusedtobesoroundandrosy,andnowwaswhite,thin,andanxious."Blessthechild!wewon'teatthepoorbeast!butitwouldbekindtogivehimaway tosomeonewhocould feedhimwell.Gonow,dear,andgeta jugoffreshwater. The fatherwill need it, and sowill you, for that crust is a drydinnerformydarling."Asshespoke,theoldwomanheldthelittlegirlcloseforaminute;andTrudelclungtohersilently,findingthehelpsheneededforhersacrificeinthelove

andtheexamplegrandmagaveher.Thensheranaway,with thebrownjug inonehand, theprettykittenonherarm, and courage in her little heart. It was a poor neighborhoodwhere theweavers and lace-makers lived; but nearly every one had a good dinner onSunday,andonherwaytothefountainTrudelsawmanywell-spreadtables,smelled the good soup inmany kettles, and looked enviously at the plumpchildren sitting quietly on the doorsteps in round caps and wooden shoes,waiting tobecalled in toeatof thebig loaves, thebrownsausages, and thecabbage-soupsmokingonthehearth.Whenshecametothebaker'shouse,herheartbegantobeat;andshehuggedJansocloseitwaswellhewasthin,orhewouldhavemewedunderthetenderfarewell squeezes his little mistress gave him. With a timid hand Trudelknocked,andthenwent in tofindVrowHertzandherfiveboysandgirlsattable,withgoodroastmeatandbreadandcheeseandbeerbeforethem."Oh,thedearcat!theprettycat!Letmepathim!Hearhimmew,andseehissoft white coat," cried the children, before Trudel could speak, for theyadmiredthesnow-whitekittenverymuch,andhadoftenbeggedforit.Trudelhadmadeuphermindtogiveuptothematlastheronetreasure;butshewishedtobepaidforit,andwasboundtotellherplan.Janhelpedher,forsmellingthemeat,heleapedfromherarmstothetableandbegantognawabone onDirck's plate,which so amused the young people that they did nothearTrudelsaytotheirmotherinalowvoice,withredcheeksandbeseechingeyes,--"DearVrowHertz,thefatherisveryill;themothercannotworkatherlaceinthedark room;andgrandmamakesbut littlebyknitting, though Ihelpall Ican.Wehavenofood;canyougivemealoafofbreadinexchangeforJan?Ihavenothingelsetosell,andthechildrenwanthimmuch."Trudel's eyeswere full andher lips trembled, as she endedwith a look thatwentstraighttostoutMotherHertz'skindheart,andtoldthewholesadstory."Blessthedearchild!Indeed,yes;aloafandwelcome;andseehere,agoodsausagealso.Brenda,gofillthejugwithmilk.Itisexcellentforthesickman.As for thecat, let it stayawhileandget fat, thenwewill see. It isaprettybeast and worth many loaves of bread; so come again, Trudel, and do notsufferhungerwhileIhavemuchbread."Asthekindwomanspoke,shehadbustledabout,andbeforeTrudelcouldgetherbreath,abigloaf,alongsausage,andajugoffreshmilkwereinherapronandhands,andamotherlykissmadethegiftsalltheeasiertotake.Returningit heartily, and telling the children to be kind to Jan, she hastened home toburstintothequietroom,cryingjoyfully,--

"See,grandmother,hereisfood,--allmine.Iboughtit!Come,come,andeat!""Now,dearHeaven,whatdoIsee?Wheredidtheblessedbreadcomefrom?"askedtheoldwoman,huggingthebigloaf,andeyingthesausagewithsuchhungerinherfacethatTrudelranfortheknifeandcup,andheldadraughtoffreshmilktohergrandmother'slipsbeforeshecouldanswerasinglequestion."Stay,child,letusgivethanksbeforeweeat.Neverwasfoodmorewelcomeorheartsmoregrateful;"andfoldingherhands,thepiousoldwomanblessedthemealthatseemedtofallfromheavenonthatbaretable.ThenTrudelcutthecrustysliceforherself,alargesoftoneforgrandmother,withagoodbitofsausage,andrefilledthecup.Anotherportionandcupwentupstairstomother,whom she found asleep, with the father's hot hand in hers. So leaving thesurpriseforherwaking,Trudelcreptdowntoeatherowndinner,ashungryasa littlewolf, amusing herselfwithmaking the oldwoman guesswhere andhowshegotthisfinefeast."Thisisoursiege,grandmother;andweareeatingJan,"shesaidatlast,withthemerriestlaughshehadgivenforweeks."EatingJan?"criedtheoldwoman,staringatthesausage,asifforamomentshe feared the kitten had been turned into that welcome shape by somemiracle.Still laughing,Trudel toldher story, andwaswell rewarded forherchildishsacrificebythelookingrandmother'sfaceasshesaidwithatenderkiss,--"Thou art a carrier-dove, my darling, coming home with good news andcomfortunderthywing.Godblessthee,mybravelittleheart,andgrant thatoursiegebenotalongonebeforehelpcomestous!"Suchahappyfeast!andfordessertmorekissesandpraisesforTrudelwhenthemother came down to hear the story and to tell how eagerly father haddrank the freshmilk and gone to sleep again.Trudelwas verywell pleasedwithherbargain; but at night shemissed Jan's soft purr for her lullaby, andcried herself to sleep, grieving for her lost pet, beingonly a child, after all,thoughtryingtobeabravelittlewomanforthesakeofthosesheloved.The big loaf and sausage took them nicely through the next day; but byTuesdayonlycrustsremained,andsorrel-soup,slightlyflavoredwiththelastscrapofsausage,wasalltheyhadtoeat.OnWednesdaymorning,Trudelhadplaitedherlongyellowbraidswithcare,smootheddownheroneblueskirt,andputonherlittleblacksilkcap,makingreadyfortheday'swork.Shewasweakandhungry,butshowedabrightfaceasshetookheroldbasketandsaid,--"NowIamofftomarket,grandmother,tosellthehoseandgetmedicineandmilkforfather.Ishalltrytopickupsomethingfordinner.Thegoodneighbors

oftenletmerunerrandsforthem,andgivemeakuchen,abitofcheese,oratasteof theirnicecoffee. Iwillbringyousomething,andcomeassoonas Ican."The old woman nodded and smiled, as she scoured the empty kettle till itshone, andwatched the little figure trudge awaywith the big empty basket,and, she knew, with a still emptier little stomach. "Coffee!" sighed thegrandmother;"onesipoftheblesseddrinkwouldputlifeintome.WhenshallIever taste it again?"and thepoorsoul satdown toherknittingwithhandsthattrembledfromweakness.ThePlatzwasabusyandanoisyscenewhenTrudelarrived,--for the thriftyDutchwomenwereearlyafoot;andstalls,carts,baskets,andcanswerealreadyarrangedtomakethemostattractivedisplayoffruit,vegetables,fish,cheese,butter, eggs,milk, and poultry, and the smallwares country people came tobuy.Nodding and smiling, Trudelmade herway through the bustle to the boothwhereoldVrowSchmidtboughtandsoldthebluewoollenhosethatadornthestoutlegsofyoungandold."Good-morning,child!Iamgladtoseetheeandthywell-knitstockings,forIhaveordersfor threepairs,andpromisedthygrandmother's, theyarealwayssoexcellent,"saidtherosy-facedwoman,asTrudelapproached."I have but one pair.We had nomoney to buymore yarn. Father is so illmothercannotwork;andmedicinescostadeal,"saidthechild,withherlargehungry eyes fixed on the breakfast the old woman was about to eat, firsthavingmadereadyforthebusinessoftheday."See,then,Ishallgivetheetheyarnandwaitforthehose;Icantrustthee,andshallaskagoodprice for thegoodwork.Thou toowilthave thefever, I 'mafraid!--sopaleandthin,poorchild!Here,drinkfrommycup,andtakeabiteofbreadandcheese.Themorningairmakesonehungry."Trudeleagerlyaccepted the "sup"and the "bite," and feltnewstrength flowintoherasthewarmdraughtandgoodbrownbreadwentdownherthroat."Somanythanks!Ihadnobreakfast.IcametoseeifIcouldgetanyerrandshere to-day, for I want to earn a bit if I can," she said with a sigh ofsatisfaction,assheslippedhalfofhergeneroussliceandagoodbitofcheeseintoherbasket,regrettingthatthecoffeecouldnotbesharedalso.As if to answer herwish, a loud cry from fatMotherKinkle, the fish-wife,roseatthatmoment,forathievishcurhadrunoffwithafishfromherstall,whileshegossipedwithaneighbor.DownwentTrudel'sbasket,andawaywentTrudel'swoodenshoesclatteringover thestoneswhilesheracedafter thedog,dodging inandoutamongthe

stallstillshecorneredthethiefunderGretchenHorn'smilk-cart;foratsightofthebigdogwhodrewthefourcopper-cans,thecurlostheartanddroppedthefishandranaway."Well done!" said buxom Gretchen, when Trudel caught up the rescuedtreasure a good deal theworse for the dog's teeth and the dust it had beendraggedthrough.Allthemarket-womenlaughedasthelittlegirlcamebackproudlybearingthefish,fortheracehadamusedthem.ButMotherKinklesaidwithasigh,whenshesawthedamagedoneherproperty,--"Itisspoiled;noonewillbuythattorn,dirtything.Throwitonthemuck-pile,child;yourtroublewasinvain,thoughIthankyouforit.""Giveittome,please,ifyoudon'twantit.Wecaneatit,andwouldbegladofit at home," cried Trudel, hugging the slippery fishwith joy, for she saw adinnerinit,andfeltthatherrunwaswellpaid."Takeit,then,andbeoff;IseeVrowvonDecken'scookcoming,andyouareintheway,"answeredtheoldwoman,whowasnotaveryamiableperson,aseveryoneknew."That'safinerewardtomakeachildforrunningthebreathoutofherbodyforyou,"saidDameTroost,thehandsomefarm-wifewhosatclosebyamongherfruitandvegetables,asfreshashercabbages,andasrosyashercherries."Betterit,then,andgiveherafeastfitforaburgomaster.Youcanaffordit,"growledMotherKinkle,turningherbackontheotherwomaninahuff."ThatIwill,forveryshameatsuchmeanness!Here,child,taketheseforthyfish-stew, and these for thy little self," said the kind soul, throwing half adozenpotatoesandonionsintothebasket,andhandingTrudelacabbage-leaffullofcherries.Ahappygirlwasour littlehouse-wifeonherwayhome,whenthemilkandmedicineandloafofbreadwerebought;andacomfortabledinnerwasquicklycookedandgratefullyeateninDort'spoorhousethatday."Surelythesaintsmusthelpyou,child,andopenpeople'sheartstoourneed;foryoucomebackeachdaywithfoodforus,--liketheravenstothepeopleinthewilderness,"saidthegrandmotherwhentheysatattable."Iftheydo,itisbecauseyoupraytothemsoheartily,mother.ButIthinkthesweetwaysandthinfaceofmyTrudeldomuchtowinkindness,andthegoodGodmakesherourlittlehouse-mother,whileImustsitidle,"answeredVrowDort; and she filled the child's platter again that she, at least, might haveenough."I like it!" cried Trudel,munching an onionwith her bread,while her eyes

shoneandaprettycolorcameintohercheeks."Ifeelsooldandbravenow,sogladtohelp;andthingshappen,andIkeepthinkingwhatIwilldonexttogetfood.It'slikethebirdsoutyonderinthehedge,tryingtofeedtheirlittleones.Iflyupanddown,pickandscratch,getabithereandabitthere,andthenmydearoldbirdshavefoodtoeat."It reallywasverymuchasTrudel said, forher smallwitsweregettingverysharpwith thesenewcares; she layawake thatnight trying toplanhowsheshouldprovidethenextday'sfoodforherfamily."Where now, thou dear little mother-bird?" asked the "Grossmutter" nextmorning,when thechildhadwashed the lastdish,andwassettingaway theremainsoftheloaf."ToGrettiJansen's,toseeifshewantsmetowaterherlinen,asIusedtodoforplay.Sheislame,andittireshertogotothespringsooften.Shewilllikemetohelpher,Ihope;andIshallaskherforsomefoodtopayme.Oh,Iamveryboldnow!SoonwillIbegifnootherwayoffers."AndTrudelshookheryellowheadresolutely,andwenttosettlethestoolatgrandmother'sfeet,andtodrawthecurtainsothatitwouldshieldtheoldeyesfromthesummersun."Heaven grant it never comes to that! It would be very hard to bear, yetperhapswemustifnohelparrives.Thedoctor'sbill, therent, thegoodfoodthyfatherwillsoonneed,willtakefarmorethanwecanearn;andwhatwillbecome of us, the saints only know!" answered the old woman, knittingbrisklyinspiteofhersadforebodings."Iwilldoitall!Idon'tknowhow,butIshalltry;and,asyouoftensay,'Havefaithandholdupthyhands;Godwillfillthem.'"ThenTrudelwent away toherwork,with a stout heart underher little bluebodice;andallthatsummerdayshetrudgedtoandfroalongthewebsoflinenspread in the green meadow, watering them as fast as they dried, knittingbusilyunderatreeduringtheintervals.OldGrettiwasgladtohaveher,andatnooncalledher in tosharethemilk-soup,withcherriesandherrings in it,andapotofcoffee,--aswellasDutchcheese, andbread full of coriander-seed.Though thiswas a feast toTrudel,onebowlofsoupandabitofbreadwasallsheate;then,withafacethatwasnothalfas"bold"asshetriedtomakeit,sheaskedifshemightrunhomeandtakethecoffeetograndmother,wholongedforandneededitsomuch."Yes,indeed;there,letmefillthatpewterjugwithagoodhotmessfortheoldlady,andtakethisalso.Ihavelittletogive,butIrememberhowgoodshewastomeinthewinter,whenmypoorlegsweresobad,andnooneelsethoughtofme," said gratefulGretti,mixingmore coffee, and tucking a bit of freshbutterintohalfaloafofbreadwithacrustyendtocoverthehole.

Away ran Trudel; and when grandmother saw the "blessed coffee," as shecalledit,shecouldonlysipandsighforcomfortandcontent,sogladwasthepoor old soul to taste her favorite drink again. The mother smelled it, andcamedowntotakehershare,whileTrudelskippedawaytogoonwateringthelinen till sunset with a happy heart, saying to herself while she trotted andsplashed,--"This day is well over, and I have kept my word. Now what can I do to-morrow?Grettidoesn'twantme;thereisnomarket;Imustnotbegyet,andIcannotfinishthehosesosoon."I know! I 'll get water-cresses, and sell them from door to door. They arefreshnow,andpeoplelikethem.Ah,thoudearduck,thanktheeforremindingmeofthem,"shecried,asshewatchedamother-duckleadherbroodalongthebrook'sedge,pickinganddabblingamongtheweedstoshowthemwheretofeed.EarlynextmorningTrudeltookherbasketandwentawaytothemeadowsthatlayjustoutofthetown,wheretherichfolkhadtheirsummerhouses,andfish-ponds, andgardens.Thesegardensweregaynowwith tulips, thedelight ofDutch people; for they know best how to cultivate them, and often makefortunesoutofthesplendidandcostlyflowers.WhenTrudelhad lookedlongandcarefullyforcresses,andfoundveryfew,shesatdowntorest,wearyanddisappointed,onagreenbankfromwhichshecouldoverlookafinegardenallablazewithtulips.Sheadmiredthemheartily,longed tohaveabedof themherown, and feastedher childisheyeson thebrilliantcolorstilltheyweredazzled,forthelongbedsofpurpleandyellow,redandwhiteblossomsweresplendidtosee,andinthemidstofallamoundofdragon-tulipsroselikeaqueen'sthrone,scarlet,green,andgoldallmingledontheruffledleavesthatwavedinthewind.Suddenlyitseemedasifoneofthegreatflowershadblownoverthewallandwashoppingalongthepathinaverycuriousway!Inaminute,however,shesawthatitwasagayparrotthathadescaped,andwouldhaveflownawayifitsclippedwingsandabrokenchainononeleghadnotkeptitdown.Trudel laughed to see thebird scuttle along, jabbering to itself, and lookingverymischievousandnaughtyasitranaway.Shewasjustthinkingsheoughtto stop it, when the garden-gate opened, and a pretty little boy came out,callinganxiously,--"Prince!Prince!Comeback,youbadbird!Ineverwillletyouoffyourperchagain,slyrascal!""Iwillgethim;"andTrudelrandownthebankaftertherunaway,fortheladwassmallandleaneduponalittlecrutch.

"Becareful!Hewillbite!"calledtheboy."I 'm not afraid," answered Trudel; and she stepped on the chain, whichbrought the "Prince of Orange" to a very undignified and sudden halt. Butwhenshetriedtocatchhimupbyhislegs,thesharpblackbeakgaveanipandheldtightlytoherarm.Ithurthermuch,butshedidnotletgo,andcarriedhercaptiveback to itsmaster,who thankedher, andbeggedher tocome inandchainupthebadbird,forhewasevidentlyratherafraidofit.Gladtoseemoreofthesplendidgarden,Trudeldidwhatheasked,andwithagooddealoffluttering,scolding,andpecking,thePrincewasagainsettledonhisperch."Yourarmisbleeding!Letmetieitupforyou;andhereismycaketopayyouforhelpingme.MammawouldhavebeenveryangryifPrincehadbeenlost,"saidtheboy,ashewethislittlehandkerchiefinatankofwaternearby,andtiedupTrudel'sarm.Thetankwassurroundedbypotsoftulips;andonarusticseatlaythelad'shatandadeliciouslargekuchen,coveredwithcomfitsandsugar.Thehungrygirlaccepteditgladly,butonlynibbledatit,rememberingthoseathome.Theboythoughtshedidnotlikeit,andbeingagenerouslittlefellowandverygratefulforherhelp,helookedaboutforsomethingelsetogiveher.Seeinghereyesfixed admiringly on a pretty red jar that held a dragon-tulip just ready tobloom,hesaidpleasantly,--"Wouldyoulikethisalso?Allthesearemine,andIcandoasIlikewiththem.Willyouhaveit?""Oh,yes,withthanks!Itissobeautiful!Ilongedforone,butneverthoughttogetit,"criedTrudel,receivingthepotwithdelight.Thenshehastened towardhome toshowherprize,onlystopping tosellherlittlebunchesofcressesforafewgroschen,withwhichsheboughtaloafandthreeherrings toeatwith it.Thecakeand the flowergavequite theairofafeast to thepoormeal,butTrudeland the twowomenenjoyed itall, for thedoctor said that the fatherwas better, and now needed only goodmeat andwinetogrowstrongandwellagain.Howtogetthesecostlythingsnooneknew,buttrustedtheywouldcome,andallfelltoworkwithlighterhearts.Themothersatagainatherlace-work,fornowarayoflightcouldbeallowedtofallonherpillowandbobbinsbythewindow of the sick-room. The oldwoman's fingers flew as she knit at onelongblue stocking;andTrudel's littlehands tuggedawayat theother,whileshecheeredherdulltaskbylookingfondlyatherdeartulipunfoldinginthesun.Shebegantoknitnextdayassoonasthebreakfastofdrybreadandwaterwas

done;butshetookherworktothedoorstepandthoughtbusilyastheneedlesclicked,forwherecouldshegetmoneyenoughformeatandwine?Theprettypot stoodbeside her, and the tulip showed its gay leaves now, just ready tobloom. She was very proud of it, and smiled and nodded gayly when aneighborsaidinpassing,"Afinefloweryouhavethere."Soonsheforgotit,however,sohardwasherlittlebrainatwork,andforalongtimeshesatwithhereyesfixedonherbusyhandssointentlythatsheneitherheardstepsapproaching,norsawamaidandalittlegirllookingoverthelowfenceather.Suddenly somewords ina strange languagemadeher lookup.ThechildwaspointingatthetulipandtalkingfastinEnglishtothemaid,whoshookherheadandtriedtoleadheron.Shewasaprettylittlecreature,allinwhitewithagayhat,curlylocks,andagreatdoll inonearm,while theotherheldaboxofbonbons.Trudel smiledwhenshesawthedoll;andasifthefriendlylookdecidedher,thelittlegirlranuptothedoor,pointedtotheflower,andaskedaquestioninthequeertonguewhich Trudel could not understand. Themaid followed, and said in Dutch,"FräuleinMaudwishestheflower.Willyougiveittoher,child?""Oh, no, no! I love it. Iwill keep it, for now Jan is gone, it is all I have!"answeredTrudel,takingthepotinherlaptoguardheronetreasure.Thechildfrowned,chatteredeagerly,andofferedtheboxofsweets,asifusedtohavingherwishesgratifiedatonce.ButTrudelshookherhead,formuchassheloved"sugar-drops,"shelovedthesplendidflowerbetter,likeatruelittleDutchwoman.Then Miss Maud offered the doll, bent on having her own way. Trudelhesitatedamoment,forthefineladydollinpinksilk,withafeatherinherhat,andtinyshoesonherfeet,wasverytemptingtoherchildishsoul.Butshefeltthat sodaintya thingwasnot forher, andheroldwoodendarling,with thestaring eyes and broken nose, was dearer to her than the delicate strangercouldeverbe.Soshesmiled tosoothe thedisappointedchild,butshookherheadagain.At that, the English lassie lost her temper, stamped her foot, scolded, andbegantocry,orderingthemaidtotaketheflowerandcomeawayatonce."Shewillhaveit;andshemustnotcry.Here,child,willyousellitforthis?"saidthemaid,pullingahandfulofgroschenoutofherdeeppocket,surethatTrudelwouldyieldnow.Butthelittlehouse-mother'squickeyesawthatthewholehandfulwouldnotbuythemeatandwine,muchasitlooked,andforthethirdtimesheshookheryellowhead.Therewasalonginglookinherface,however;andtheshrewdmaidsawit,guessedthatmoneywouldwintheday,anddivingagainintoherapron-pocket,broughtoutasilverguldenandhelditup.

"For this, then, littlemiser? It ismore than thesilly flower isworth;but theyoungfräuleinmusthaveallshewants,sotakeitandletusbedonewiththecrying."AstrugglewentoninTrudel'smind;andforamomentshedidnotspeak.Shelonged tokeepherdear tulip,herone joy,and it seemedsohard to let itgobeforeshehadevenseenitblossomonce;butthenthemoneywoulddomuch,andherlovinglittleheartyearnedtogivepoorfatherallheneeded.Justthenhermother's voice camedown from theopenwindow, softly singing anoldhymn to lull the sick man to sleep. That settled the matter for the dutifuldaughter; tears rose to her eyes, and she found it very hard to say with afarewellcaressoftheblueandyellowpotasshegaveitup,--"Youmayhaveit;butitisworthmorethanagulden,foritisadragon-tulip,thefinestwehave.Couldyougivealittlemore?myfatherisverysick,andweareverypoor."Thestoutmaidhadakindheartunderherwhitemuslinneckerchief;andwhileMissMaud seized the flower, goodMarta put another gulden into Trudel'shandbeforeshehastenedafterhercharge,whomadeoffwithherbooty,asiffearingtoloseit.Trudelwatchedthechildwiththehalf-openedtulipnoddingoverhershoulder,asthoughitsadlysaid"good-by"toitsformermistress,tillherdimeyescouldsee no longer. Then she covered her face with her apron and sobbed veryquietly,lestgrandmothershouldhearandbetroubled.ButTrudelwasabravechild,andsoonthetearsstopped,theblueeyeslookedgladlyatthemoneyinherhand,andpresently,whenthefreshwindhadcooledhercheeks,shewentintoshowhertreasureandcheeruptheanxiousheartswithhergoodnews.Shemadelightofthelossofherflower,andstillknitting,wentbrisklyofftoget themeatandwineforfather,andif themoneyheldout,somecoffeeforgrandmother,someeggsandwhiterollsformother,whowasweakandwornwithherlongnursing."Surely,thedearGoddoeshelpme,"thoughtthepiouslittlemaid,whileshetrudgedbackwithherparcels,quitecheeryagain,thoughnoprettykittenrantomeether,andnogaytulipstoodfull-blowninthenoondaysun.Stillmorehappywassheoverhersmallsacrificeswhenshesawherfathersipalittleofthegoodbrothgrandmothermadewithsuchcare,andsawthecolorcomeintothepalecheeksofthedearmotheraftershehadtakentheeggsandfinebread,withacupofcoffeetostrengthenandrefreshher."Wehaveenoughforto-day,andforfatherto-morrow;butonSundaywemustfastaswellaspray,unlessthehosebedoneandpaidforintime,"saidtheoldwomannextmorning,surveyingtheirsmallstoreoffoodwithananxiouseye.

"Iwillworkhard,andgotoVrowSchmidt'stheminutewearedone.ButnowImustrunandgetwood,elsethebrothwillnotbeready,"answeredTrudel,clatteringonherwoodenshoesinagreathurry."If all else fails, I too shall make my sacrifice as well as you, my heart'sdarling.IcannotknitasIoncedid,andifwearenotdone,orVrowSchmidtbe away, I will sell my ring and so feed the flock till Monday," said thegrandmother,liftinguponethinoldhand,whereshonethewedding-ringshehadwornsomanyyears."Ah,no,--notthat!Itwassosadtoseeyourgoldbeadsgo,andmother'sear-ringsandfather'scoatandJanandmylovelyflower!Wewillnotsellthedearoldring.Iwillfindaway.Somethingwillhappen,asbefore;sowaitalittle,andtrusttome,"criedTrudel,withherarmsaboutthegrandmother,andsucharesolutenodthattherustylittleblackcapfelloverhernoseandextinguishedher.Shelaughedassherightedit,andwentsingingaway,asifnotacarelayheavyonheryoungheart.Butwhenshecametothelongdikewhichkeptthewatersof the lake fromoverflowing the fieldsbelow,shewalkedslowly to resthertiredlegs,andtorefreshhereyeswiththebluesheetofwaterononesideandthe still bluer flax-fields on the other,--for theywere in full bloom, and thedelicateflowersdancedlikefairiesinthewind.It was a lonely place, but Trudel liked it, and went on toward the wood,turning theheelofherstockingwhileshewalked,--pausingnowand then tolookover at the sluice-gateswhich stoodhere and there ready to let off thewaterwhenautumnrainsmade the lakerise,or in thespringwhen theflax-fields were overflowed before the seed was sown. At the last of these shepaused to gather a bunch of yellow stone-crop growing from a niche in thestrongwallwhich,withearthandbeams,madethedike.Asshestooped,thesoundofvoicesinthearchbelowcameuptoherdistinctly.Fewpeoplecamethatwayexceptlittlegirls,likeherself,togatherfagotsinthewood,ortruantladstofishinthepond.Thinkingthehiddenspeakersmustbesomeoftheseboys,shekneltdownbehindtheshrubsthatgrewalongthebanks,andlistenedwith a smile on her lips to hear what mischief the naughty fellows wereplanning.Butthesmilesoonchangedtoalookofterror;andshecrouchedlowbehindthebushestocatchallthatwassaidintheechoingarchbelow."HowdidIthinkofthething?Why,thatisthebestpartofthejoke!MeinHerrvonVostputit intomyheadhimself,"saidaman'sgruffvoice,inanswertosomequestion."Thisisthewayitwas:Isatatthewindowofthebeer-house,andVonVostmettheburgomasterclosebyandsaid,'Myfriend,Ihearthatthelowersluice-gateneeds looking to.Pleasesee to it speedily, foranoverflownowwouldruinmyflax-fields,andcausemanyofmyloomstostandstillnextwinter.''So!Itshallbelookedtonextweek.Suchamisfortuneshallnotbefall

you,mygoodneighbor,'saidtheburgomaster;andtheyparted.'Ah,ha!'thinksItomyself,'herewehaveafinewaytorevengeourselvesonMastervonVost,whoturnedusoffandleavesustostarve.WehavebuttoseethattheoldgategiveswaybetweennowandMonday,andthathardmanwillsufferintheonlyplacewherehecanfeel,--hispocket.'"Herethegruffvoicebrokeintoalowlaugh,andanothermansaidslowly,--"Agoodplan;butistherenodangerofbeingfoundout,PeitStensen?""Not a chance of it! See here,Deitrich, a quiet blow or two, at nightwhennonecanhearit,willbreakawaytheserottenboardsandletthewaterin.Therest--it will do itself; and by morning those great fields will be many feetunderwater,andVonVost'scropruined.Yes,wewillstophisloomsforhim,andothermenbesidesyouandIandNiklasHaaswillstandidlewithstarvingchildrenroundthem.Come,willyoulendahand?Niklasisawaylookingforwork,andHansDortissick,ortheymightbegladtohelpus.""Hanswouldneverdoit.Heissober,andsogoodaweaverhewillneverwantwork when he is well. I will be with you, Peit; but swear not to tell it,whateverhappens, foryouandIhavebadnamesnow,and itwouldgohardwithus.""I 'll swearanything;buthaveno fear.Wewillnotonlybe revengedon themaster,butgetthejobofrepairing;sincemenarescarceandtheneedwillbegreatwhenthefloodisdiscovered.See,then,howfineaplanitis!andmeetmehereattwelveto-nightwithashovelandpick.Minearealreadyhiddeninthe wood yonder. Now, come and see where we must strike, and then sliphometheotherway;wemustnotbeseenherebyanyone."There the voices stopped, and stepswere heard going deeper into the arch.Trudel, palewith fear, rose toher feet, slippedoffher sabots, and ranawayalongthedikelikeastartledrabbit,neverpausingtillshewassafelyroundthecorner andoutof sight.Then she tookbreath, and tried to thinkwhat todofirst.Itwasofnousetogohomeandtellthestorythere.Fatherwastooilltohear it or to help; and if she told the neighbors, the secret would soon beknowneverywhere andmight bringdangeron themall.No, shemust go atonce toMeinHerr vonVost and tell him alone, begging him to let no oneknowwhatshehadheard,buttopreventthemischiefthementhreatened,asifby accident. Then all would be safe, and the pretty flax-fields kept fromdrowning. Itwasa longway to the"master's,"ashewascalled,becauseheownedthelinenfactories,wherealldaymanyloomsjangled,andmanymenandwomenworkedbusily to fill hiswarehousesand shipswithpilesof thefinewhitecloth,famousalltheworldover.Butforgettingthewood,father'sbroth,granny'scoffee,andeventheknittingwhich she still held, Trudel went as fast as she could toward the country-

house,whereMeinHerrvonVostwouldprobablybeathisbreakfast.Shewasfaintnowwithhungerandheat,forthedaygrewhot,andtheanxietyshefeltmadeherheartflutterwhileshehurriedalongthedustyroadtillshecametotheprettyhouseinitsgaygarden,wheresomechildrenwereplaying.Anxiousnottobeseen,Trudelslippedupthesteps,andinattheopenwindowofaroomwhereshesawthemasterandhiswifesittingattable.Bothlookedsurprisedtoseeashabby,breathlesslittlegirlenterinthatcuriousfashion;butsomething in her face told them that she came on an important errand, andputtingdownhiscup,thegentlemansaidquickly,--"Well,girl,whatisit?"InafewwordsTrudeltoldherstory,addingwithabeseechinggesture,"Dearsir,pleasedonottellthatIbetrayedbadPeitandDeitrich.Theyknowfather,andmaydohim someharm if theydiscover that I toldyou this.We are sopoor, sounhappynow,wecannotbear anymore;" andquiteovercomewiththe troubles that filled her little heart, and the fatigue and the hunger thatweakened her little body, Trudel dropped down at VonVost's feet as if sheweredead.Whenshecametoherself,shewaslyingonavelvetsofaandthesweet-facedladywasholdingwinetoherlips,whileMeinHerrvonVostmarchedupanddown the roomwith his flowered dressing-gownwaving behind him, and afrown on his brow.Trudel sat up and said shewas quitewell; but the littlewhitefaceandthehungryeyesthatwanderedtothebreakfast-table, toldthetruth,andthegoodfrauhadaplateoffoodandacupofwarmmilkbeforeherinamoment."Eat,mypoorchild,andrestalittle,whilethemasterconsiderswhatisbesttobedone,andhowtorewardthebravelittlemessengerwhocamesofartosavehisproperty,"saidthemotherlylady,fanningTrudel,whoateheartily,hardlyknowingwhatsheate,except that itwasverydeliciousaftersomuchbreadandwater.In a few moments Herr von Vost paused before the sofa and said kindly,thoughhiseyesweresternandhisfacelookedhard,--"See,then,thusshallIarrangetheaffair,andallwillbewell.Iwillmyselfgotoseetheoldgate,asifmadeanxiouslesttheburgomastershouldforgethispromise.Ifindit inadangerousstate,andatoncesetmymenatwork.Therascalsaredisappointedofbothrevengeandwages,andIcansoontakecareof them in otherways, for they are drunken fellows, and are easily clappedinto prison and kept safely there till ready to work and to stop plottingmischief.Nooneshallknowyourpartinit,mygirl;butIdonotforgetit.Tellyour father his loom waits for him. Meanwhile, here is something to helpwhilehemustbeidle."

Trudel'splatenearly felloutofherhandsasagreatgold-piecedropped intoherlap;andshecouldonlystammerherthankswithtearsofjoy,andamouthfullofbreadandbutter."Heisakindman,butabusyone,andpeoplecallhim'hard.'Youwillnotfindhimsohereafter, forhenever forgetsa favor,nordo I.Eatwell,dearchild,andwait tillyouarerested.Iwillgetabasketofcomfortsfor thesickman.Whoelseneedshelpathome?"SokindlydidFrauvonVost lookandspeak thatTrudel toldallher sad talefreely,forthemasterhadgoneatoncetoseetothedike,afteranodandapaton the child's head, which made her quite sure that he was not as hard aspeoplesaid.Whenshehadopenedherhearttothefriendlylady,Trudelwaslefttorestafewmoments,andlayluxuriouslyontheyellowsofastaringatthehandsomethings about her, and eating pretzels till Frau von Vost returned with thepromisedbasket,outofwhichpeepedtheneckofawine-bottle,thelegsofachicken,glimpsesofgrapes,andmanyneatparcelsofgoodthings."Myservantgoestomarketandwillcarrythisforyoutillyouarenearhome.Go, littleTrudel;andGodblessyouforsavingus fromagreatmisfortune!"said the lady; and she kissed the happy child and led her to the back door,where stood the little cartwithanoldman todrive the fathorse, andmanybasketstobefilledintown.Sucha lovelydriveourTrudelhad thatday!noqueen in a splendidcharioteverfeltprouder,forallhercaresweregone,goldwasinherpocket,foodatherfeet,andfriendssecuredtomaketimeseasierforall.Noneedtotellhowjoyfullyshewaswelcomedathome,norwhatpraisesshereceivedwhenhersecretwasconfidedtomotherandgrandmother,norwhatafeastwasspreadinthepoorhousethatday,--forpatience,courage,andtrustinGodhadwonthebattle,theenemyhadfled,andTrudel'shardsiegewasover.

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