king it easy."

Mrs. Morrison smiled. "Yes, that is the way with most of us: we forget
so easily. And now let's go to church and try to think what the
Christmas star means for us."

The Spectacle Man who happened to be at the shop window when the little
party started out, smiled to himself at sight of Mark walking beside
Mrs. Morrison. "That is just what my boy needs," he said. "It isn't much
influence an old uncle can have."

The church was fragrant and beautiful in its Christmas dress, the light
came softly through the stained windows, and above the festoons and
wreaths of cedar shone the brilliant star. The children sat very still,
with earnest faces, till the service began, then, to Frances' delight,
the processional was "O little town of Bethlehem."

With their heads together over the book, she and Gladys sang too. At the
last stanza Frances, who knew the words, gazed straight at the star,
forgetful of everything but the music:--

"We hear the Christmas Angels
The great glad tidings tell;
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel."

But at the Amen something drew her eyes to the other side of the aisle
where, stately and handsome, stood Mrs. Marvin, watching her. She longed
to call her mother's attention to this lady of whom she had thought and
talked so much, but as Gladys sat between it was not possible.

All through the short service she kept stealing glances across the
aisle, but Mrs. Marvin did not turn again. The sight of the bright child
face had stirred the memory of an earnest little chorister who used
sometimes to smile at her over his book as he passed, and she did not
want to remember those old days; she wished she had not come.

Gladys, who did not often go to church, was interested and touched by
the simple service. She slipped her hand into Mrs. Morrison's when it
was over and whispered, "I am glad I came, and I mean to be good."

Perhaps her ideas of goodness were somewhat vague, and certainly there
was much in her surroundings to cloud the vision, but who can tell what
fruit an earnest wish may bear.

Frances hoped Mrs. Marvin would speak to her, but the crowd separated
them, and though she kept a careful watch she did not see her again.

As they walked home in the twilight Mark, who was still beside Mrs.
Morrison, said, "I'm afraid I don't care enough for church and that sort
of thing, and though I know of course there must be a great deal in it
for some people, I neve