ouisa's look of triumph and the little play which was to be acted in
her presence.

"Yes, I'll be there," thought the girl; "yes, Christmas Eve shall
decide it."

She ran upstairs and entered the kitchen. Grannie and David were
sitting side by side, engaged in earnest conversation. David blushed
when he saw Alison, and suddenly slipped something under the table;
Grannie patted his arm softly with her left hand.

"Well, Ally, you are home in double-quick time," she said.

"Too quick, is it?" said Alison, taking off her hat and flinging
herself wearily into the nearest chair.

"No, no, my child, never too quick," said the old lady; "and did you
get a good bargain?" she added the next minute anxiously. "Were you
careful in the spending of that shillin'? Why, I don't see any
parcels. For mercy's sake child, don't tell me that you dropped the
shillin'."

"No, I didn't, Grannie; here it is. Somehow I am out of humor for
bargains to-night--that's why I come back."

Grannie took back the precious shilling tenderly. She went to the
cupboard and restored it to her purse. As she did so, she gave a sigh
of relief. She was full of respect for Alison's powers, but not as a
bargainer; she was certain she could get a penny-worth more value out
of the shilling than her grand-daughter would.

"Dave," she said, turning to the lad as she spoke, "Ally and I have
made up our minds that, whatever happens, we'll have a right good
Christmas. We'll have a puddin' and snap-dragon, and a little bit of
beef, and everything hot and tasty, and we'll have the stockings hung
up just as usual by the children's beds; bless 'em, we'll manage it
somehow--somehow or other it has got to be done. Who knows but perhaps
cheerful times may follow Christmas? Yes, who knows? There's never no
use in being downhearted."

"I suppose you are thinkin' of a wedding," said Alison suddenly.

"Well, dear child, and why not?"

"There's not much chance of it," was the reply, in a defiant tone.
"Anyhow," continued Alison, "I've made up my mind to look for another
situation to-morrow."

Grannie's little white face became clouded.

"I am going to Oxford Street, to a registry office," said Alison. "I
know lots about counter work, and I don't doubt that I may get a very
good place; anyhow, I'm going to try."

"Well, that's sperit, there's no denying that," said the old lady;
"it's in the breed, and it can't be crushed."

"David, what are you hidi