an, very modestly,
"and I saw your fire through the window, and begged shelter for a
quarter of an hour."

"Have the goodness to walk out again, then," said Schwartz. "We've quite
enough water in our kitchen, without making it a drying house."

"It's a very cold day, sir, to turn an old man out in, sir; look at my
gray hairs."

"Aye!" said Hans, "there are enough of them to keep you warm. Walk!"

"I'm very, very hungry, sir; couldn't you spare me a bit of bread before
I go?"

"Bread, indeed!" said Schwartz; "do you suppose we've nothing to do with
our bread but to give it to such fellows as you?"

"Why don't you sell your feather?" said Hans, sneeringly. "Out with
you."

"A little bit," said the old gentleman.

"Be off!" said Schwartz.

"Pray, gentlemen."

"Off!" cried Hans, seizing him by the collar. But he had no sooner
touched the old gentleman's collar than away he went after the
rolling-pin, spinning round and round, till he fell into the corner on
the top of it.

Then Schwartz was very angry, and ran at the old gentleman to turn him
out. But he also had hardly touched him, when away he went after Hans
and the rolling-pin, and hit his head against the wall as he tumbled
into the corner. And so there they lay, all three.

Then the old gentleman spun himself round until his long cloak was all
wound neatly about him, clapped his cap on his head, very much on one
side, gave a twist to his corkscrew mustaches, and replied, with perfect
coolness: "Gentlemen, I wish you a very good morning. At twelve o'clock
to-night, I'll call again."

_John Ruskin._

* * * * *

NOTE.--"The King of the Golden River," from which the selection is
taken, is a charming story for children. It was written in 1841, for the
amusement of a sick child. It is said to be the finest story of its kind
in the language.

[Illustration:]

* * * * *

_81_

elf
en cir' cled
jerk
hur' ri cane
rein'deer
min' i a ture
tar' nished

A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse:
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In the hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And Mamma in her kerchie