ok Bella upon his knee, and kissed
her, and wiped away her tears, and said: "My darling little pet, would
you like to hear a story that I know?"

"Oh yes, papa," said Bella, lifting her head from his breast, and
smiling: though a great tear still trembled on her long lashes, "I love
a story."

"And I love you," said her papa; "so here it is."

PAPA'S STORY.

THE DINNER PARTY.

"Once upon a time, there lived a little girl, named Edith. She was a
dear good little puss, and that was the reason everybody loved her.
Don't you think it was a very good reason?"

"Yes, papa," said Bella; and she squeezed her soft cheek lovingly
against him, and he gave her a little hug; and then they went on again
quite comfortable with the story.

"Well, one day her papa said to her mamma, 'My dear, I shall not be home
to-day to dinner; but what shall I order for yours?'

"'Well, dear,' she answered, 'I think one beef-steak, and some green
peas, and potatoes, will do for Edith and me; and the cook shall make a
poor man's pudding, with raisins in it; that will be a very nice little
dinner.'

"'If I see any thing very nice, I will send that too.'

"'Very well.' Then Edith's papa kissed all the family. It did not take
him very long, for he had only Edith and her mamma for a family at that
time; and then he went away.

"Pretty soon after, Edith said: 'Mamma, will you please to let me go
next door, and play with Annie, and Mary?'

"'Yes, dear,' answered her mother; 'but do not forget to come home at
five o'clock to dinner.'

"Edith promised to come, and then skipped joyfully off--with her best
doll, Miss Polly Dolly Adeline, and two big apples to play 'party' with,
and in a few minutes her mother thought there must be at least twenty
children next door, instead of three; for they were having such a good
time that they made noise enough to frighten the crows into fits, if any
crows happened that way.

[Illustration: WHO SHOULD COME IN BUT THE FAT COOK, WITH A GREAT GOOSE.]

"As her mother was sitting at her sewing, some one knocked at the
door, and who should come in, but the fat cook, with a great goose,
fatter than she was; who cried out: 'Only see what a big goost, mum; and
only you and Miss Edith to eat it; besides a beef-steak to brile, and
peas and potatoes.'

"'Dear me,' said her mistress, 'we could not eat a quarter of that
goose. Save it for to-morrow, Mrs. Jellybag. Only cook the beef-steak
and vegetables; and make