and get some breakfast," she said, "but don't you tell a
soul about the money."

"No! they'll rob us!" shrieked the old man.

"Nonsense! I'll hide it well, but I want to keep it a secret for another
reason. Mind, Katey, don't you tell?"

"No!" said Katey, with wide eyes. "But can I truly have a new frock,
Mammy, and new shoes--and is it really Christmas?"

"It's really Christmas, darlin'," said Ann, "and you'll see what
mammy'll bring home to you, after breakfast."

The luxurious meal of sausages, potatoes, and hot tea was soon smoking
on the table, and was eagerly devoured by Katey and her father. But Ann
could not eat much. She was absent-minded, and only drank a cup of tea.
As soon as breakfast was over, she left Katey to wash the dishes, and
started out again.

She walked slowly down the street, revolving a great plan in her mind.

"Let me see," she said to herself. "They shall have a happy day for
once. I suppose John'll grumble, but the Lord has sent me this money,
and I mean to use part of it to make one good day for them."

Having settled this in her mind, she walked on more quickly, and visited
various shops in the neighbourhood. When at last she went home, her big
basket was stuffed as full as it could hold, and she carried a bundle
besides.

"Here's your tea, John," she said cheerfully, as she unpacked the
basket, "a whole pound of it, and sugar, and tobacco, and a new pipe."

"Give me some now," said the old man eagerly; "don't wait to take out
the rest of the things."

"And here's a new frock for you, Katey," old Ann went on, after making
John happy with his treasures, "a real bright one, and a pair of shoes,
and some real woollen stockings; oh! how warm you'll be!"

"Oh, how nice, Mammy!" cried Katey, jumping about. "When will you make
my frock?"

"To-morrow," answered the mother, "and you can go to school again."

"Oh, goody!" she began, but her face fell. "If only Molly Parker could
go too!"

"You wait and see," answered Ann, with a knowing look. "Who knows what
Christmas will bring to Molly Parker?"

"Now here's a nice big roast," the happy woman went on, still unpacking,
"and potatoes and turnips and cabbage and bread and butter and coffee
and--"

"What in the world! You goin' to give a party?" asked the old man
between the puffs, staring at her in wonder.

"I'll tell you just what I am going to do," said Ann firmly, bracing
herself for opposition, "and it's as good as done, so