make my presents--doin' it evenin's and odd times,
you know, and 'tis my child's play all the year through till Christmas
comes again. They ask me sometimes if I ain't lonesome; any one can't be
lonesome, I tell 'em, while they're makin' Christmas presents."

"You don't live all sole alone?" asked Calvin Parks.

"Certin I do! I've no kin of my own, and them as wished to marry me
warn't more than what I had time to say no to," she laughed gleefully;
"and I wouldn't be bothered with no stranger messin' round. I'm used to
myself, you see, but I don't know as any person else could get along
with me real well, come to stay right along. I expect I'm as caniptious
as an old hen. The neighbors is real good; any one couldn't ask for
better help than they be when I need help, but 'tis seldom I do. I'm
strong and well, and everything is handy by, as you may say. Only when
it comes Christmas, I can't fetch in the tree nor yet mount up to trim
the upper branches, and then I have to call on some one. My! ain't you
smart? you've got all them bags hung while I've been talkin'. They do
look pretty, don't they?"

"They look handsome!" Calvin assented warmly, "they certainly do. But if
you'll excuse me takin' a liberty, I think there's just one extry touch
this tree needs, and with your permission I'm goin' to put it on. Excuse
me a half a minute!"

He ran out, and soon returned beaming with pleasure and good will, his
hands full of small tissue paper parcels.

"I had these all wrapped up separate," he said, "'cause they're
fraygile. How many children did you say there was? Thirty? Well, if that
ain't a nice fit! Here's three dozen left; and not one of them is goin'
any further to-night."

He unwrapped the parcels, and displayed to Miss Fidely's wondering eyes
dogs, lions, camels, rabbits, all sparkling in barley sugar, all
glittering in the sunset light. The lame woman clasped her hands, and
her eyes shone.

"Oh!" she cried. "I see the like of them in the hospital; I never see
them before or since. I can't believe it's true. Oh! I do believe the
Lord sent you, sir!"

"I believe so too!" said Calvin Parks.

Suddenly Miss Fidely's face changed.

"My goodness!" she cried. "I never thought, and I know you never either.
I can't take them, sir! I've spent all my money, and more too, I expect,
for I know well you give me extry measure in some of them candies. But
I'm just as pleased at you takin' the pains to bring 'em in, and the