e boys now rushed over to help tie up the branches.

When that part of the work was finished, Reddy sang out:

"All together! Lift her on the sled. One, two, three!" and up it went.

"Nobody gets a ride home," called out Chuck, "because the greens have to
go on top of the tree."

"Oh!" wailed Fat, "if I can't ride I'll roll down. I hate to walk."

By the time they had reached the fields the worst part of the trip was
over.

"We'll cut over to the road that runs past the church," said Father
Brown, "and leave some of the greens there," at which the horse was
headed in that direction.

As they came to the road they saw a short distance from them an object
in the snow and as they drew nearer it proved to be a little fellow,
deep in a snow drift. His hands were blue with the cold and as Father
Brown picked him up in his arms he tried to speak, but couldn't.

"I know who he is," volunteered Herbie. "He's Patsy O'Reilly, and he
lives over there," pointing to a small house up the road. "His brother
Mike goes to school with me," he continued.

"I'll carry him home," said Father, "as you boys are able to handle
things all right now," saying which, he started off to the little house
with Patsy in his arms.

Chuck, to whom Father Brown had handed the reins now started to drive
the horse toward home.

When the boys arrived at the church and had carried in the greens, the
ladies were delighted, and one of them even tried to kiss Reddy, but he
hurried away just in time.

CHAPTER VI

TOAD'S UNSELFISHNESS

When they reached home Chuck drove the sleigh up to the side door, where
the boys quickly unloaded the greens. They then lifted the tree to the
piazza and when this had been done Chuck drove the horse to the stable.

"Let's go in and get our hands warm before we take in the greens,"
suggested Toad, and soon they were all laughing and talking before the
great fire in the library.

Fat had just asked the others if they remembered the day Mr. Brown had
told them about the Indians that used to live in the woods where they
found the tree, when a man's voice was heard from the hall.

"It's going to be a sad Christmas for them, I'm afraid, for both parents
are ill and the three helpless children are waiting for Santa Claus to
come," the boys heard Father Brown say.

"How sad," was Mrs. Brown's answer, as they both went into the kitchen
and the boys could hear no more.

"They must be talking about the O'Reilly