well,' said Bessy, creeping
under Kate's shawl, and putting her hands under her chin to warm them.

'Poor little birdie! How pitiful he looks, and how glad he must be to
see some one coming to help him! I'll take him up gently, and carry him
home to mother. Don't be frightened, dear, I'm your friend;' and Tilly
knelt down in the snow, stretching her hand to the bird, with the
tenderest pity in her face.

Kate and Bessy laughed.

'Don't stop for that thing; it's getting late and cold: let's go on and
look for the purse,' they said moving away.

'You wouldn't leave it to die!' cried Tilly. 'I'd rather have the bird
than the money, so I shan't look any more. The purse wouldn't be mine,
and I should only be tempted to keep it; but this poor thing will thank
and love me, and I'm _so_ glad I came in time.'

Gently lifting the bird, Tilly felt its tiny cold claws cling to her
hand, and saw its dim eyes brighten as it nestled down with a grateful
chirp.

'Now I've got a Christmas present after all,' she said, smiling, as they
walked on. 'I always wanted a bird, and this one will be such a pretty
pet for me.'

'He'll fly away the first chance he gets, and die anyhow; so you'd
better not waste your time over him,' said Bessy.

'He can't pay you for taking care of him, and my mother says it isn't
worth while to help folks that can't help us,' added Kate.

'My mother says, "Do as you'd be done by;" and I'm sure I'd like any one
to help me if I was dying of cold and hunger. "Love your neighbour as
yourself," is another of her sayings. This bird is my little neighbour,
and I'll love him and care for him, as I often wish our rich neighbour
would love and care for us,' answered Tilly, breathing her warm breath
over the benumbed bird, who looked up at her with confiding eyes, quick
to feel and know a friend.

'What a funny girl you are,' said Kate; 'caring for that silly bird, and
talking about loving your neighbour in that sober way. Mr. King don't
care a bit for you, and never will, though he knows how poor you are; so
I don't think your plan amounts to much.'

'I believe it, though; and shall do my part, any way. Good-night. I hope
you'll have a merry Christmas, and lots of pretty things,' answered
Tilly, as they parted.

Her eyes were full, and she felt so poor as she went on alone toward the
little old house where she lived. It would have been so pleasant to know
that she was going to have some of the pretty things