mised him that when he was seven years old, they would take him to
Covent-Garden Theatre, and as that time had now nearly come, he did not
forget to remind them of their promise. His birth-day was the fifteenth
of January, which was lucky, because they always perform pantomimes in
the Christmas holidays, and he was very desirous of seeing harlequin and
columbine, and the clown, as he had heard a great deal about them from
his young friends in the square, who had been to see them. As the day
approached, Charles could think of nothing but the play, and said he
thought it would be the happiest day of his life; but his mamma told him
she hoped he would have much greater cause to be happy many days of his
life, than going to a theatre; however Charles did not think there could
be any greater cause for happiness, and his mamma said, it was as well
for him to think so: The night before his birth-day, he went to bed in
high spirits, saying he was sure he should not be able to sleep all
night; but that was a mistake, for he went to sleep almost directly; and
did not wake till the morning.

[Illustration: LITTLE CHARLES SEEING A CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME.]

As soon as he was dressed, he ran down stairs to breakfast, with a
smiling face. "Here is the day come at last!" he said, "I am so glad
mamma, I wish it was night; I am seven years old to-day."

"Yes, my dear," said his mamma, "and I wish you many happy returns of
the day."

"Thank you, mamma, but I have a great favour to ask you."

"What is it? Charles."

"I am afraid you will not do it."

"If it is any thing very unreasonable, perhaps I shall not," said his
mamma; "but if it is not very unreasonable, I think, as it is your
birth-day, I may venture to promise that I will do it."

"Then this is it," said Charles; "Peter has never been to the play in
his life, and he said yesterday, he should like to go with me; so I wish
you would take him with us; he would be so pleased."

"Well then, we will take him with us," said Mrs. Barker; "and I am glad
to find that you think of other people's pleasure, as well as your own;
it shows that you are not selfish."

A message was then sent to Peter's uncle, who readily gave his consent,
which made Charles happier than he was before.

At six o'clock Peter came; and very much delighted he looked, as well
he might, for he had not expected so great a pleasure; and then both the
boys watched at the window for Mr. Barker, who had not yet com