times there is a vein of gold which

I have

ng into the red caverns, where the yellow fire-elves were bea

efully, and chuckling over them in baby fashion. And Marcus, who had finished his day's work, had left off trying to read by t

hear me? I have

your attention to baby-language," he observed presently; "we are studying the ape-vocabulary, you know. Dot has got quite a little language of her own. As far as I can mak

nd her as well as possible. She is scolding the fire, because it has burnt her dear little toes. Look, she is showing them to me. Naughty fire

to blink drowsily again, but Olivia, who had pas

king so much of that sad, sad speech of Mr. Gaythorne's yesterday. I cannot bear to th

ropose it, Livy? You seem to say anything that comes into your head. A good bowl of steaming punch would drive

ant to be serious. Now, do give me a straightforward answer,

w," as Olivia uttered an impatient exclamation, "I shall have to go up to the Models after tea, to see that poor woman who was confi

to pay Mr. Gaythorne a surprise visit on Christmas evening. We are always back by six, and I know he does not

And then, in his ordinary voice, "Well, you might try it, if you like; but I should not be surp

Olivia, cheerfully. "Now I will put Dot to b

n his easy-chair. He had sat up late over his books the previous night, wasting lamp-oil and coals, as hi

she had actually saved out of Aunt Madge's Christmas gift enough money to buy Marcus another of Thac

ty Fair and The Newcomes were on his modest bookshelves. Neither the husband nor wife thought it right

ful fingers out of a yard of cretonne. Olivia had already received her Christmas presents, and had nothing to expect. Her new outfit, and Dot's pelisse, and Martha's w

mper from Galvaston House, and I am waiting for you to open it. And oh! do you know,

harp air-and it is freezing hard, let me tell you-has made me as hungry as a hunter." And as Olivia conceded this poin

gifts: a red knitted shawl for her mother and half a pound of tea, a comforter for her father, and some warm cuffs f

e York ham came to view; there were also half a dozen bottles of old port-wine for Dr. Luttrell, wit

urkeys had hitherto been strictly limited to a partial view of their limp bodies as they dang

those things away?" suggested Marcus. And as Olivi

a cold shoulder of mutton had been transformed into tempting rissoles. Olivia always treated her husband to a hot supper on Christmas Eve. Potatoes cooked in their coats, and a couple of Deborah's mince pies, finished off the menu, to which Marcus did am

he opened the front-door. Instead of the frost he had expected, the icy coldness of t

Olivia joined him, but she only smiled at him, her

service," for she had already arranged to take care of Dot during the morning, while Martha went to

ia knelt beside her husband, her heart swelled with thankfulness for countless blessings. "I

ed upstairs to take off her hat. She was just stepping into the dinin

re is a surprise in store for you." But as he took his

d, with the brown baby asleep under the hedge, and the old terrier guarding it, that she had

ink of your fri

eyes. Marcus, who was almost as pleased as she was, patted her on the shoulder kindly, and bade h

d at last. But Marcus negatived this at once; the pic

p. When Marcus came home he told her to wrap up as warmly as possible. "The damp quit

sual kind welcome, but she looked a

at do you think our dear old magician has done now?" And as she pointed to the table beside her, Olivia saw the picture of the ruined church, and the old shepherd in

think, he has sent me the picture of the cornfield tha

ing. I mean to get an easel and stand it at the foot of my couch, with that Indian scarf of mine just draped over it; won't it cheer me up on one of

ng in return for him! Don't laugh at me, you tiresome boy; it is all very well for you, you are doing him a go

r Deb dishing up the dinner, and Marcus looks blue in the fac

iece of boiled ham, with plum pudding and mince pies to follow, but D

dge dozed. She roused up when Deb brought in the tea-things, and chatted in her old bright way, but Marcus's pr

ne yet, but will you tell him that I have not had such a Christmas gift as that since my husband left me, and that I have been praying