gust sunshine fell on
her calm face, bathing it with warm light. The carpet had not been put
down yet, and the children's feet made a hollow sound on the bare floor.

"Why, grandma," said Prudy, "it wouldn't be nice here a bit, only the
room has got _you_ in it!"

"Bless thy little heart, Prudence! It will be nice enough here to-morrow
night. I wouldn't have thy mother touch it to-day."

"I've got a gamma to my house," said Katie, passing her little fingers
over Mrs. Read's white kerchief; "but um don't have hang-fiss on um
neck."

"Yes," said Mrs. Read, in reply to the children's question, "tell your
mother I will take some coffee to-night, and she is very kind to
inquire."

On the whole, the supper that evening was quite a success. Mr. Parlin
had come home from business, tired and sad. It was not pleasant for him
to turn his steps towards that part of the town: he missed his old home
more than ever. But when he entered the strange house, the lonely look
left his face; for there in the hall stood his wife and children,
awaiting him with smiles of welcome.

"O, papa!" said Dotty, springing into his arms, while her sisters seized
him by the coat-sleeves, "you ought to have a birthday to-night, we've
got such a splendid supper!"

"Sthop!" cried Katie. "_I_'s talking. Cake, and verjerves, and f'owers,
and butter!"

"And Susy's been practising the 'Blue Violet's Carol,'" said Prudy.

"Yes, her packus, uncle Ed'ard!"

"And I'll read the paper to you if your eyes ache," went on Prudy; "and
we are going to be just as happy, papa!"

"An' vindegar canny," struck in Katie.

"O, hush, now!" whispered Dotty, covering the child's mouth with her
handkerchief.

The whole house was fragrant with flowers, and had such a festive
appearance, that Mr. Parlin kept exclaiming, "Ah, indeed!" and stroking
his beard. Prudy said she always knew when papa was pleased, for then he
always "patted his whiskers."

The table was very attractive, and everybody had a fine appetite. After
Mr. Parlin had drank a cup of delicious coffee, he no longer remembered
that he was tired. He looked upon the merry group around him, and said
to his wife,--

"I see, my dear, you are disposed to make the best of our misfortunes.
But, after all, you are not quite as meek as one old lady I heard of
once."

"Please tell it, if it's a story, papa," said the children.

"Not much of a story; only there were two old women who lived by
themselves, and w