it was her father, with her child in his arms!

PEACE AND GOODWILL.

Lucy Jane Bull and her sisters were quite old enough to understand a
good deal of grown-up conversation when they overheard it. Thus, when
a friend of Mrs. Bull's observed during an afternoon call that she
believed that "officers' wives were very dressy," the young ladies
were at once resolved to keep a sharp look-out for the Captain's
wife's bonnet in church on Christmas Day.

The Bulls had just taken their seats when the Captain's wife came in.
They really would have hid their faces, and looked at the bonnet
afterwards, but for the startling sight that met the gaze of the
congregation. The old grandfather walked into church abreast of the
Captain.

"They've met in the porch," whispered Mr. Bull, under the shelter of
his hat.

"They can't quarrel publicly in a place of worship," said Mrs. Bull,
turning pale.

"She's gone into his seat," cried Lucy Jane in a shrill whisper.

"And the children after her," added the other sister, incautiously
aloud.

There was now no doubt about the matter. The old man in his blue cloak
stood for a few moments politely disputing the question of precedence
with his handsome son-in-law. Then the Captain bowed and passed in,
and the old man followed him.

By the time that the service was ended everybody knew of the happy
peacemaking, and was glad. One old friend after another came up with
blessings and good wishes. This was a proper Christmas, indeed, they
said. There was a general rejoicing.

But only the grandfather and his children knew that it was hatched
from "The Peace Egg."

A CHRISTMAS MUMMING PLAY.

A CHRISTMAS MUMMING PLAY.

INTRODUCTION.

Since a little story of mine called "The Peace Egg" appeared in _Aunt
Judy's Magazine_, I have again and again been asked where the Mumming
Play could be found which gave its name to my tale, and if real
children could act it, as did the fancy children of my story.

As it stands, this old Christmas Mumming Play (which seems to have
borrowed the name of an Easter Entertainment or Pasque Egg) is not fit
for domestic performance; and though probably there are few nurseries
in those parts of England where "mumming" and the sword-dance still
linger, in which the children do not play some version of St. George's
exploits, a little of the dialogue goes a long way, and the mummery
(which must almost be seen to be imitated) is the chief matter.

In