towards her
and stroking her cheek. "For my part, I think one fire is quite enough
for one family. I confess I never should have dreamed of being thankful
we hadn't had _two_. Well, Alice, what have you to say? I see a thought
in your eyes."

"Why, papa," said Dotty, laying her forefingers together with emphasis,
"I've known what I'm thankful for, for two days. I'm thankful Mrs.
Rosenberg isn't my mother!"

A smile went around the table.

"But, papa, I am, truly. What should I want _her_ for a mother for?"

"Indeed, I see no reason, my child, since you already have a pretty good
mother of your own."

"Pretty good, papa!" said Dotty, in a tone of mild reproof. "Why, if she
was YOUR mother, you'd think she was _very_ good."

"Granted," returned Mr. Parlin.

"I don't think you'd like it, papa, to have her scold so she shakes
down cobwebs."

"Who?"

"Mrs. Rosenberg."

"Never mind, my dear; we will not discuss that woman to-day. I hope you
will some time learn to pronounce her name."

Then followed a few remarks from Mr. Parlin upon our duty to the Giver
of all good things; after which he began at last to carve the turkey.
The children thought it was certainly time he did so. They were afraid
their thankfulness would die out if they did not have something to eat
pretty soon.

CHAPTER X.

GRANDMA'S OLD TIMES.

Grandma Read was in her own room, sitting before a bright "clean" fire.
She did not like coal; she said it made too much dust; so she always used
wood. She sat with her knitting in her hands, clicking the needles
merrily while she looked into the coals.

People can see a great many things in coals. Just now she saw the face of
her dear husband, who had long ago been buried out of her sight. He had a
broad-brimmed hat on his head, and there was a twinkle in his eye, for he
had been a funny man, and very fond of a joke. Grandma smiled as if she
could almost hear him tell one of his droll stories.

Presently there was a little tap at the door. Grandma roused herself, and
looked up to see who was coming.

"Walk in," said she; "walk in, my dear."

"Yes'm, we came a-purpose to walk in," replied a cheery voice; and
Prudy and Dotty danced into the room, with their arms about each
other's waists.

"O, how pleasant it seems in here!" said Prudy; "when I come in I always
feel just like singing."

"Thee likes my clean fire," said grandma.

"But, grandma," said Dotty, "I should think you'd be lo