Bennett had proposed some new thing to add to her enjoyment.

"Ah, dear Hetty! how much do I owe to you! But for you, I should, no
doubt, be at this moment a shivering pauper in that terrible poorhouse,
while some one else would be living in this dear old house. And it all
comes," she added softly, "of that one unselfish thought, of that one
self-denial for others."



VI. LITTLE GIRL'S CHRISTMAS WINNIFRED E. LINCOLN

WINNIFRED E. LINCOLN

It was Christmas Eve, and Little Girl had just hung up her stocking by
the fireplace--right where it would be all ready for Santa when he
slipped down the chimney. She knew he was coming, because--well,
because it was Christmas Eve, and because he always had come to leave
gifts for her on all the other Christmas Eves that she could remember,
and because she had seen his pictures everywhere down town that
afternoon when she was out with Mother.

Still, she wasn't JUST satisfied. 'Way down in her heart she was a
little uncertain--you see, when you have never really and truly seen a
person with your very own eyes, it's hard to feel as if you exactly
believed in him--even though that person always has left beautiful
gifts for you every time he has come.

"Oh, he'll come," said Little Girl; "I just know he will be here before
morning, but somehow I wish--"