diff options
Diffstat (limited to '36293-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/36293-h.htm | 2555 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img003.jpg | bin | 0 -> 56578 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img003a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 14906 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img004.jpg | bin | 0 -> 13842 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img005.jpg | bin | 0 -> 65686 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img007.jpg | bin | 0 -> 44270 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img007a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 12746 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img020.jpg | bin | 0 -> 73562 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img029.jpg | bin | 0 -> 50240 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img029a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 15166 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img035.jpg | bin | 0 -> 71770 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img035a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 14404 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img056.jpg | bin | 0 -> 15471 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 36293-h/images/img057.jpg | bin | 0 -> 68776 bytes |
14 files changed, 2555 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/36293-h/36293-h.htm b/36293-h/36293-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..80de9a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/36293-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2555 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of by .</title> +<style type="text/css"> + body {background:#fdfdfd; + color:black; + font-size: large; + margin-top:100px; + margin-left:15%; + margin-right:15%; + text-align:justify; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {text-align: center; } + hr.narrow { width: 40%; + text-align: center; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; } + hr.minimal { width: 25%; + text-align: center; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; } + hr.tiny { width: 10%; + text-align: center; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; } + hr { width: 100%; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 3px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + table {font-size: large; } + table.sm {font-size: medium; } + p {text-indent: 3%; } + p.noindent { text-indent: 0%; } + .big { font-size: 130%} + .center { text-align: center; } + img { border: 0; } + .figleft { float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-top: + 0em; margin-right: 0.5em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + .ind1 { margin-left: 1em; } + .ind2 { margin-left: 2em; } + .revind { margin-left: 0em; text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; } + .right { text-align: right; } + .sm { font-size: 80% } + .small { font-size: 70%; } + .smallcaps { font-variant: small-caps; } + .wide { letter-spacing: .15em; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red; + text-decoration: underline; } + pre {font-size: 70%; } +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Nearly Bedtime, by H. Mary Wilson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Nearly Bedtime + Five Short Stories for the Little Ones + +Author: H. Mary Wilson + +Release Date: May 31, 2011 [EBook #36293] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEARLY BEDTIME *** + + + + +Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<h1>NEARLY BEDTIME.</h1> +<p> </p> + +<h3><i>FIVE SHORT STORIES FOR<br /> +THE LITTLE ONES.</i></h3> +<p> </p> +<h5>BY</h5> +<h3>H. MARY WILSON,</h3> +<h6>AUTHOR OF "CRIP," ETC.</h6> +<p> </p> +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="center"> +<p class="noindent"><span class="small">PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE<br /> +OF GENERAL LITERATURE AND EDUCATION APPOINTED BY THE<br /> +SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.</span></p> +<hr class="tiny" /> +<p> </p> +<p class="noindent"><span class="wide">LONDON:</span><br /> +<span class="small">SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE,</span><br /> +<span class="small">NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, CHARING CROSS, W.C.;</span><br /> +<span class="small">43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C.</span><br /> +<span class="small">BRIGHTON: 135, NORTH STREET.</span><br /> +<span class="smallcaps">New York</span>: <span class="small">E. &. J. B. YOUNG AND CO.</span> +</p> +</div> +<p> </p> +<hr class="minimal" /> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> + <table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="poem"> +<tr><td align="left">"Between the dark and the daylight,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> When the night is beginning to lower,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> Comes a pause in the day's occupations,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> That is known as the Children's Hour.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"I hear in the chamber above me</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> The patter of little feet;</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> The sound of a door that is opened,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> And voices soft and sweet.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td ><span class="ind2">*</span><span class="ind2">*</span><span class="ind2">*</span><span class="ind2">*</span><span class="ind2">*</span></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">"A sudden rush from the stairway,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> A sudden raid from the hall!</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> By three doors left unguarded</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> They enter my castle wall!"</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smallcaps">Longfellow.</span></td></tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<hr class="minimal" /> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="decoration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img003.jpg"> + <img src="images/img003.jpg" width="400" + alt="PRINTER'S DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> + </table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<h3><span class="wide">PREFACE.</span></h3> +<hr class="tiny" /> +<p> </p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/img003a.jpg" width="75" alt="M" title="" /> +</div><div class="noindent">y motive in putting together these +few short stories is twofold. I wish +to help some elder sisters who have, +like myself, occasionally found it difficult to +keep the little ones happy when sleepiness is +beginning to assert its claims—with pride in +attendance to scorn any hint of weariness. For +this reason the stories are quite short—of different +lengths—and the time that they take in +reading aloud is noted in the index. But I +wish also, if I can, to add a little to the genuine +happiness of that pleasant time when "big and +little people" for a while are equals—before +nurse comes to the door and says—</div> + +<p>"If you please, miss, it is the children's bedtime."</p> + +<p>Of course, when the summons does come, +they all say "Good night" without any grumbling, +and run away with bright faces, like my +little Maggie, Dora, and Douglas.</p> + +<p class="small"><span class="smallcaps">Kenley</span>, 1888.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="decoration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img004.jpg"> + <img src="images/img004.jpg" height="120" + alt="PRINTER'S DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> + </table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="decoration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img005.jpg"> + <img src="images/img005.jpg" width="400" + alt="PRINTER'S DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> + </table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<hr class="minimal" /> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="4" summary="Contents"> +<tr><th align="center" colspan="2">CONTENTS.</th></tr> +<tr><td> </td><td align="center" valign="top"><span class="small">THE TIME IT<br /> +TAKES TO READ.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#st_1">GENTLEMAN PHIL.</a></td><td align="right">12 mins. </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#st_2">BOXER.</a></td><td align="right">9 mins. </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#st_3">IT WAS ALL THOSE HORRID<br /> +<span class="ind1"> </span> BELLOWS! </a></td><td align="right">5 mins. </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#st_4">GULL'S "TWINSES."</a></td><td align="right">15 mins. </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#st_5">THE B. D. S.</a></td><td align="right">7 mins. </td></tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<hr class="minimal" /> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="Illustration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img007.jpg"> + <img src="images/img007.jpg" width="400" + alt="DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<h2>NEARLY BEDTIME.</h2> +<p> </p> +<hr class="tiny" /> +<h3><a name="st_1" id="st_1"></a><i>GENTLEMAN PHIL.</i></h3> + +<div class="center"><p class="noindent"> +<span class="sm">"He is gentil that doth gentil dedes."—</span><span class="smallcaps">Chaucer.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/img007a.jpg" width="75" alt="T" title="" /> +</div><div class="noindent">he birds have been awake, chirping +and twittering for more than an +hour, and the sun has stolen the +first cool freshness from the clear dewdrops, as +a pair of small feet come scudding across the +lawn and down the gravel path.</div> + +<p>Phil is up betimes to-day. He had opened +his eyes as he heard cook's heavy, deliberate +tread on the stairs—she is stout and old, and +he knows her step well—and then he knew that +it must be quite early, about half-past five.</p> + +<p>Very gaily he tumbled out of his bed, and +struggled into his white summer suit.</p> + +<p>He grew rather mixed over the buttons. +There seemed so many along the top of his +small knickerbockers! What could be the use +of them all? <i>One</i> was quite enough to hold +the things together, and he made up his mind +to ask nurse to cut off all the others.</p> + +<p>Not <i>now</i>, though! Oh no! He only peeped +into her room through the half-open door, with +a mischievous smile on his sweet bonny face, +and looked at her still sleeping figure, until she +stirred a little. Then he promptly drew back +his head, and snatching up his garden shoes, +ran noiselessly down the stairs.</p> + +<p>He watched from behind the hall curtain until +cook had opened the garden door, and gone to +fetch her pail.</p> + +<p>Now came his opportunity! Pulling on his +shoes, he was quickly scuttling over the grass, +looking very like a small white rabbit, as he +disappeared among the trees and shrubs.</p> + +<p>I don't think that my little motherless, +six-year-old friend knew that he was doing anything +naughty when he escaped in this way from +the vigilance of his lawful guardians.</p> + +<p>There was an honest, unselfish desire in his +heart which had prompted this deeply laid plan, +and he had been waiting for several days, with +a patience rarely seen in a child his age, for an +opportunity to carry it into effect.</p> + +<p>As he trotted past his own strip of garden, +at the further end of the Rose Walk, he was +thinking to himself—</p> + +<p>"Of course, nobody must see me do it. +Gentlemen never do things because they want +to be thanked. I should <i>hate</i> it so if she said +'thank you,' even once."</p> + +<p>And away went the fat legs down the kitchen +garden, and across the paddock, towards Farmer +Greeson's corn field, where the golden grain stood +helplessly in closely packed shocks.</p> + +<p>Poor Farmer Greeson thought it very hard +that Club Day should come just in the middle +of his "harvesting;" that his precious wheat +must stand a whole day waiting to be carried; +and that another field must wait uncut while +the club enjoyed itself. But, then, the old man +was obliged to remind himself that the harvest +was much later than usual this year. Unsettled +weather and frequent storms had upset so many +farming operations.</p> + +<p>Ah! But what was a lost day to Farmer +Greeson was Phil's golden opportunity.</p> + +<p>He had listened to the servants' talk about +their holiday, and though he did not quite +understand what "Club Day" meant, he was +quite sure that he need not be afraid of +intruders upon his darling scheme at this early +hour, and so he climbed the farmer's gate, and +dropped with a merry "hurrah" on to the +stubbly ground.</p> + +<p>An hour later still finds Phil alone in the field, +stooping over the ground and moving slowly +along. He looks like a tiny old man, with his bent +form and his hat pushed to the back of his head.</p> + +<p>Phil is gleaning.</p> + +<p>Steadily and laboriously he gathers up the +scattered ears of corn.</p> + +<p>He finds it harder work than he thought, and +he stops now and then to take out his handkerchief +and wipe his hot face, with a quaint +imitation of the labourers he has so often +watched. Then he stands with his arms +akimbo, to rest before setting to work again +with determined energy.</p> + +<p>There is quite a large bundle of gleanings +lying on his outspread handkerchief. He has +brought his best and largest to hold his gains; +and now the heap of corn almost eclipses the +border of kittens and puppies, with arched backs +and bristling tails, that Phil thinks "so jolly."</p> + +<p>Hark! What a delicious peal of laughter.</p> + +<p>The little gleaner has stopped again to +straighten his back, and is watching the merry +gambols of two brown baby rabbits that, quite +unconscious of Phil's nearness, are playing +round one of the shocks, as if they thought it +had been put there solely for their amusement.</p> + +<p>Round and round, in and out, they scamper, +until Phil's laughter breaks into a shout, and +he claps his hands in keen delight.</p> + +<p>This brings the entertainment to an abrupt +end.</p> + +<p>Off fly the terrified animals—their fun and +frolic turned to fear by that very human and +boyish cry; and the child's merriment dies too.</p> + +<p>He begins his labours again, saying to himself, +"Well, you bunnies are awfully easily +scared! It's a good thing gentlemen can be +braver than that."</p> + +<p>And so the sturdy legs trudge backwards and +forwards across the field.</p> + +<p>The sun shines warmly, and Phil's face grows +hot and red. Phil begins to feel hungry too.</p> + +<p>"If I was a big man, I think I should have +a nice lot of bread and cheese! I wish I <i>was</i> +a man. But I can be a gentleman <i>now</i>, father +says so."</p> + +<p>He stands with his head on one side and his +hands in his pockets, looking down thoughtfully +at his gleanings. He is sure that he has +got enough now; but he is not quite so sure +that he can carry them all at once. However, +he boldly grasps the corner of his gay +handkerchief lifts the bundle, and staggers under +its weight across the uneven ground.</p> + +<p>Through the little gate on the other side of +the corn field, with his back turned to his own +home, Phil pushes his way, and passes into the +cool shadows of the lane, just as a servant-maid +enters the field by the other gate.</p> + +<p>If you wanted to escape observation, you did +not enter the lane a minute too soon, little Phil.</p> + +<p>Look at the earnest purpose in his blue eyes, +and the brave determination with which he sets +his teeth and struggles on with his load. A +little further and he reaches an old broken gate, +standing open and leading to a neglected +garden.</p> + +<p>Phil stops for a moment and listens. He +hears nothing.</p> + +<p>Yes; an old hen is clucking with motherly +satisfaction over two long-legged chickens that +are racing for a fat green caterpillar. That +is all.</p> + +<p>So Phil is satisfied, and plods up the narrow +garden footway until he comes to a standstill +at an old cottage door. He has to put his +precious bundle on the ground while he stands +on tiptoe and raises the latch.</p> + +<p>"Who's there? Is any one there?" says a +quavering old voice, and the child nods his curly +head and smiles, but says nothing.</p> + +<p>Pushing the door open very softly, he enters +the one room of which the cottage consists. +On a bed in a corner lies a very old woman; +her thin hands clasped patiently on the counterpane, +and her sightless eyes covered with a +broad white bandage.</p> + +<p>"Ah, daughter, I've had a long, long night; +and I'll be glad of my cup of tea. But you're +main early, ain't you, dearie? I don't feel the +sun upon my face yet!"</p> + +<p>How difficult it is for Phil to hold his tongue, +as he crosses the cottage floor and stands for +a moment by Dame Christy's bedside, looking +at her with a whole world of pity in his bonny +eyes.</p> + +<p>This is by no means the first time that he +has been in this humble home; but never has +he come as the silent smiling visitor he is to-day.</p> + +<p>He puts his bundle on the bed by the old +woman's side, looks wistfully at the bandaged +eyes, and then creeps slowly and softly across +the room and runs out into the sunlight—down +the lane.</p> + +<p>With tired arms swinging from a sense of +relief, with bright curls tossing, and dusty feet +plodding over the ground, Phil enters the corn +field, and runs—into the outstretched arms of +Jane, the housemaid.</p> + +<p>And this is the greeting she gives him—</p> + +<p>"Well, you are a naughty boy, Master Phil! +Nurse is in a rare taking, thinking you've gone +and drownded yourself or got a sunstroke or +something. You deserve to be kept in bed all +day, you bad child! And I wish your pa was +at home to whip you as well."</p> + +<p>Poor little Phil trudges back by the side of +the scolding maid, feeling sobered and crestfallen. +It has come upon him like a rough +awakening from a sweet sleep that what he has +done may look like naughtiness in the eyes +of others.</p> + +<p>Would they understand if he told them all +about it?</p> + +<p>But, then, if he told, it would spoil it all—for +"gentlemen did kind things, but never +talked about them." Those were the very +words father had said. Father must know. +He had been a gentleman all his life.</p> + +<p>Choking down a rebellious sob of disappointment, +the child faces nurse's wrath with a brave +heart. He says, "I'm very, very sorry, nursie," +so humbly, when her half-angry, half-tearful +scolding is over, and his winsome face looks so +sweet in its unusual gravity, that her loving old +heart melts at once.</p> + +<p>She hugs and kisses "her boy" again and +again; telling him "not to go and get into +mischief like this, and never to give her such +another scare."</p> +<p> </p> +<p>Three days later Phil's father comes home.</p> + +<p>Nurse finds an early opportunity for telling +him the story of his little son's escapade, adding, +however, a sequel of which Phil knows +nothing. For on the previous day, Dame +Christy's daughter had sent up a message to the +nursery, "Might she trouble Mrs. Nurse to step +downstairs for a minute?"</p> + +<p>And on her entering the housekeeper's room, +she had displayed a large handkerchief, having +an artistic and warlike border of quarrelsome +cats and dogs. With tears in her eyes the +young woman spoke of the dear little master's +gift and the hard labour it must have cost him.</p> + +<p>"And we should never have knowed who did +it, but for this, which told the tale. For he +came and went so quiet, that mother she +thought it must have been a dog as had got into +her room, never speaking a word, and coming +right away without any one knowing! His +handkercher I knowed directly, 'cause he showed +it to me only the other day. He's a rale little +gentleman, isn't he now?"</p> + +<p>Nurse had wisely begged Dame Christy's +daughter not to mention, or let her mother +speak of the gift, but to leave the child in +happy ignorance that his good deed had been +discovered. She instinctively felt that "her +boy" who would "do good by stealth" would +"blush to find it fame."</p> + +<p>But now she tells her master all about it, +dwelling with pardonable pride on the "sweet +nature of the bairn."</p> + +<p>That same evening Phil's father stands by +his boy's crib and looks down at the bonny face +as it lies on the pillow, while he strokes the +curly crop with a loving hand.</p> + +<p>The blue eyes are just a little bit sleepy. +Nurse has tucked him up for the night, and +drawn down the blind. But they are not too +sleepy to shine with love and admiration as they +look up into the kind face bending over him.</p> + +<p>"So, my little son gave nurse a fright the +other day?"</p> + +<p>"Please, father, I'm <i>very</i> sorry."</p> + +<p>The child's lips quiver, but the soft eyes +still look trustingly upwards. "I was <i>really</i> +trying to be a gentleman—and—and you said +gentlemen didn't tell when they tried to be +kind, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>And now father quite understands the +motive which has closed his child's lips—the +tender sense of manly honour, which, even in +its early growth, is strong enough to influence +the heart of his boy.</p> + +<p>That Phil is already "learning the luxury of +doing good," and beginning a chain of those +"little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness +and of love," which form "the best portion +of a good man's life," fills his heart with a glow +of thankfulness.</p> + +<p>He stoops, and kissing the pleading, wistful +face, says—</p> + +<p>"Yes, Phil. Yes, dear little lad, I <i>did</i> say +so. You need not tell me any more unless +you like. I quite trust you. Remember +always that you are a gentleman—or better +still, try and follow in the steps of that Perfect +Example of a loving and gentle Man—and you +will make father very happy."</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="Illustration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img020.jpg"> + <img src="images/img020.jpg" width="400" + alt="DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> + +<h3><a name="st_2" id="st_2"></a><i>BOXER.</i></h3> +<div class="center"> + <table class="sm" style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="poem"> + <tr><td align="left">"The poor dog, in life the firmest friend—</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> The first to welcome, foremost to defend—</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> Whose honest heart is still his master's own,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone."</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smallcaps">Byron.</span></td></tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/img007a.jpg" width="75" alt="T" title="" /> +</div><div class="noindent">he electric-bell in the guard's van +suddenly began to tinkle. Something +was wrong with one of the +passengers. The train slackened speed, and +then stopped altogether.</div> + +<p>One by one the passengers' heads appeared +at the windows. Such a variety of heads, too! +Some wrapped in handkerchiefs, some with +hats all awry, some wearing neither hat nor +cap, and all looking ruffled and rubbed up, as if +a minute before their owners had been snoring +in peaceful forgetfulness that they were not in +their own quiet beds at home.</p> + +<p>This, very likely, was the case, for it was five +o'clock on a warm summer morning, and the +train from the North had been tearing along +with its burden of drowsy passengers ever since +nine o'clock the evening before.</p> + +<p>Was it any wonder that this abrupt stoppage—here, +where there was not even a platform in +sight—somewhat disturbed and irritated the +travellers?</p> + +<p>"A most irregular proceeding!" cried one +indignant gentleman who, in his anxiety to see +what was wrong, had pulled the blue window-blind +over his bald head.</p> + +<p>"It's always the way," cried another fretfully. +"Just my luck! Delaying the train, just when +I particularly wished to be in town early."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the train is on fire! Oh, guard! +guard!" screamed a frightened old lady a few +doors further down. "Help me out! This is +dreadful!"</p> + +<p>But the guard, a kindly, warm-hearted Scotchman, +was far too busy to attend to any one but +the poor heart-broken young mother, who was +clinging to him in her first paroxysm of grief +and fear.</p> + +<p>"Noo! noo!" he was saying. "Dinna be +greeting sae sairly, mem! We'll all be doing +our best to find the bit bairn. Jack has gone +to tak' a look along the line. But the train's +o'erdue, and we maun get to yonder station +before we can have asseestance."</p> + +<p>Then the news was carried the length of the +Scotch express.</p> + +<p>A little child had fallen out of the train while +his mother was asleep. The lady's dog had +gone too!</p> + +<p>All the heads disappeared, with different +expressions of sorrow for the poor young +mother, and that was all.</p> + +<p>Not quite, though!</p> + +<p>One bright face reappeared. A girlish hand +unfastened the carriage door, and in another +moment a young lady had scrambled down to +the six-foot way and, with her handbag and a +bundle of wraps, was making her way to an +open door, from which came the sound of bitter, +hysterical weeping.</p> + +<p>"Guard, I have come to see if I can help in +any way. What are you going to do?"</p> + +<p>"There is but one way, mem. Yonder comes +Jack. He's seen nothing, I'm fearing. We must +put the gude leddie down at the next station, +and she maun get an engine there and go seek +the puir bit bairn."</p> + +<p>"Very well, guard. Then I will stay with this +lady until we stop." And as the old man thankfully +returned to his duties and the train was +quickly put in motion, she sat down and put a +pair of sisterly arms round the distracted stranger.</p> + +<p>"Let us think what we will do," she said in +her kind cheery voice, "and let us remember that +the angels have been about your little one all +this time. It may not be as bad as we think."</p> + +<p>"We? Who are you?" asked the dazed, +bewildered mother. "I don't know you."</p> + +<p>"I am Hetty Saunders. I am going to +London to spend the last days of my holiday +with my brother. But I can spare the time to +help you a little, you know. Let us forget that +I am a stranger."</p> + +<p>And with true womanly capableness she +took the management of affairs into her own +hands, drawing Mrs. Hayling on to tell her +all she would about her little Willie—and +something, too, of Boxer, the gentle, clever +Scotch collie.</p> + +<p>Half an hour ago they had both been with +her. Where were they now?</p> +<p> </p> +<p>Let us go back and look at the other side +of this little story—Willie and Boxer's side.</p> + +<p>They were both of an inquiring turn of +mind. This was only their second railway +journey; and it was not, therefore, very wonderful +that Willie's fingers and Boxer's sharp, +inquisitive nose, seemed determined to examine +everything.</p> + +<p>You can guess that it was with no small relief +that Mrs. Hayling saw her little son's round +blue eyes grow dim with sleep, as she tucked +him up—for the sixth time at least—in the +thick railway rug, and told Boxer to lie down +beside him.</p> + +<p>But it was quite a long time after Willie's +mouth opened, to let out some not unmusical +snores, that Mrs. Hayling's thoughts were +hushed into quiet dreams.</p> + +<p>Mothers have so many things to think about +and puzzle over!</p> + +<p>About four o'clock her little son suddenly +opened his eyes, and as suddenly remembered +where he was.</p> + +<p>He was wide awake!</p> + +<p>Boxer did not like the vigorous shake that +his little master gave him. He roused himself, +it is true; but when Willie climbed on to the +seat and looked out of the window, he curled +himself round for another nap. Why did not +his little master do the same?</p> + +<p>"Boxer, I'm 'samed of you! How lazy you +are! Come and play wid me."</p> + +<p>And the fat arms dragged the dog up again +and held him in a tight embrace, from which +there seemed no escaping.</p> + +<p>"Mother is fast as'eep! We'll play widout +her, <i>dis</i> time," and Willie fixed his eyes +longingly upon the window-strap. Then he looked +back again at his mother's white tired face.</p> + +<p>He was thinking to himself, "Mother said, +Willie mustn't play wid dat fing—and—and +me wants to."</p> + +<p>Poor mother! why do you not wake? See! +your little child is getting nearer and nearer to +that forbidden plaything.</p> + +<p>He leant against the door and held the +window-strap in one hand, while his little face +grew grave and ashamed. It was not quite so +nice to be disobedient as Willie thought it +would be.</p> + +<p>Mother, mother! why do you not wake? +There is something wrong with the fastening +of the door, and even the child's light weight +has made it shift a little.</p> + +<p>He was peeping down with eager eyes into +the depths out of which the window-sash had +been drawn.</p> + +<p>"I'll send dis strap down dere, and fis' somefing +up. S'all I, Boxer?"</p> + +<p>The dog stood close beside him, wagging his +bushy tail and looking up with two bright +loving eyes.</p> + +<p>And then the train gave a sudden lurch, the +door flew open, and as the child fell forward +with a little cry, Boxer sprang after him and +seized him by his sailor-collar. Powerless to +save his little master from falling, he yet dragged +him sideways to the ground, and received the +full force of the fall, as they rolled over and +over down the long green bank.</p> + +<p>And yet mother did not wake! No! not +until that motionless bundle—the child and the +dog—had been left many miles away.</p> +<p> </p> +<p>"Boxer! wake up! It's time for bekfust."</p> + +<p>Boxer did not move.</p> + +<p>"I said I was 'samed of you. <i>Now</i> I'm +'sameder. You <i>are</i> a lazy dog!"</p> + +<p>And then Willie's eyes opened wider, and +he turned over on his bed. His bed? Why! +it was soft green grass! and that was not a +bed-curtain up there. It was a tree, and +branches of whispering leaves.</p> + +<p>Slowly the truth crept into the child's mind, and +very slowly it drove two large tears into his blue +eyes. Where was mother—dear, dear mother?</p> + +<p>He sat up and looked round him. "Mother! +mother! I'm very, <i>very</i> sorry!" he cried; the +remembrance of his disobedience being full +upon him. But his voice ended in sobs, as +he buried his face in the grass again. "Oh, +mother! Willie <i>does</i> want you so!"</p> +<p> </p> +<p>Mother was coming. Her strained, anxious +eyes had already discovered the little figure +lying stretched upon the ground.</p> + +<p>In another moment the pilot-engine had +stopped, and she had clasped her darling in her +arms—alive—unhurt—and was covering him +with kisses, while thankful tears ran down her +cheeks.</p> + +<p>It was left to Hetty Saunders to stoop down +and stroke Boxer's motionless figure, and in +that touch to learn how the dear doggie had +lost his life for his little master.</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="Illustration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img029.jpg"> + <img src="images/img029.jpg" width="400" + alt="DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> + +<h3><a name="st_3" id="st_3"></a><i>IT WAS ALL THOSE HORRID BELLOWS!</i></h3> +<h4>A STORY TOLD BY A LITTLE GIRL.</h4> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/img029a.jpg" width="75" alt="I" title="" /> +</div><div class="noindent">heard Dick—he's my biggest +brother—learning his "Rep" the +other day. I don't quite know +what "Rep" is; but he was saying some words +over and over again, and some of them stuck +in my head. I can remember them now.</div> + +<p>I don't often remember things; but that is +because I've got a head like a sieve—nurse +says so.</p> + +<p>"What's in a name?" he read out of the +book—and then something about a rose smelling +sweet. <i>That</i> part doesn't matter.</p> + +<p>If Dick had asked <i>me</i> "What's in a name?" +I could have told him quite well. But Dick +didn't ask me, and so I will tell you instead. +I think there's a great deal in a name—at least, +in a nickname. There are all kinds of spiteful +little prickles that hurt ever so much more than +others, because they stick in our <i>feelings</i>.</p> + +<p>I think I must have got a whole lot of that +kind of thorn in me just now, for I <i>do</i> feel sore.</p> + +<p>Every one has begun to call me Matty, and +I can't <i>bear</i> it!</p> + +<p>Did you say Matty was rather a pretty +name?</p> + +<p>Perhaps it is, if it is the proper short for your +name; I mean, if you were christened Matilda. +But <i>my</i> name's Ginevra!</p> + +<p>Now, do you understand that they all call +me Matty just to tease me, and I <i>hate</i> it. +I do.</p> + +<p>I've got as far as adjectives in grammar, so +I know that the long horrid word which they +put before Matty sometimes is an adjective. +I'm not going to write it down here—no, not +for any one—because it is such a nasty, unkind +word. But it begins with an M. The next +letter is an E, and then comes D, and there are +seven more letters, I think.</p> + +<p>And this is all because the other day it +was raining very fast, and there was nothing +to do!</p> + +<p>There never is anything to do on a wet day; +I mean, nothing interesting. Dick plays with +me sometimes; but he was reading a story, with +dreadful <i>fighting</i> pictures to it, in the <i>Boy's Own +Paper</i>, so I knew he wouldn't want to come. +And Teddie had gone to sleep in the armchair.</p> + +<p>Wasn't that a stupid thing to do?</p> + +<p>Well! I was obliged to get something to do—wasn't +I? And it wasn't my fault that Ann +left the dear little drawing-room bellows behind +her, when she came to make up the fire, was it?</p> + +<p>You can do nice, funny things with bellows.</p> + +<p>I've tried.</p> + +<p>But Dick didn't like me to blow down his +neck; and Teddie got quite cross when I sent +a puff of wind into his ear and woke him up. +He needn't have thrown the footstool at me, +need he?</p> + +<p>I went out of the schoolroom after that, and +such a <i>nice</i> thought came into my head.</p> + +<p>I would be a wind-fairy.</p> + +<p>I would be a <i>naughty</i> wind-fairy first, and go +and blow everything out of its place—all untidy +and crooked; and then I could change, and be +a <i>good</i> wind-fairy, and go and blow all the +things straight again.</p> + +<p>So I went into all the rooms.</p> + +<p>It <i>was</i> funny!</p> + +<p>I blew the antimacassars on to the floor, and +the visiting-cards out of the china-plate.</p> + +<p>That was in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>The best fun was in the nursery, where all +the clean handkerchiefs and collars and cuffs +were on the table. They went puff, puff, all +over the floor, just like big snowflakes, and I +could hardly help stepping on them.</p> + +<p>The bedrooms were not so much fun. So I +finished by going to the dining-room, as soon +as Ann had gone away, after setting the tea.</p> + +<p>Nobody will believe me when I say that I +really <i>was</i> going to put everything tidy again! +But I never got so far as being the good wind-fairy. +Everything always goes just the wrong +way!</p> + +<p>First of all, the servants finished their tea +sooner than they generally do, and nurse went +straight back to the nursery. She might have +waited—mightn't she?</p> + +<p>And wasn't it unkind of Mrs. Rose to come +and call, and to have to be shown into the +drawing-room? She is our doctor's sister, and +she is so stiff and white that we call her Mrs. +<i>Prim</i>rose. That's <i>her</i> nickname. But it never +pricks <i>her</i>, because she never hears it.</p> + +<p>I wonder if nurse is right when she says, "It +is going against the Catechism to make nicknames +for grown-up people"?</p> + +<p>Well! I didn't know that if you blew a +flame with the bellows it would make it run +about everywhere. Did you?</p> + +<p>I was only trying to make the spirit-lamp +burn faster under the kettle.</p> + +<p>I was just beginning to be the <i>good</i> wind-fairy +then. And the silly flame ran all over +the table-cloth, and there was such a flare-up!</p> + +<p>I <i>was</i> frightened.</p> + +<p>The tea-cosy was burnt. So was the table-cloth. +Ann had 'stericks. I think that is what +nurse called them. Mrs. Primrose came running +in with mother from the drawing-room, and she +fainted.</p> + +<p>That was all!</p> + +<p>At least, I was sent to bed, and now they +call me Matty. Don't you think it is unkind +of them? Ginevra is such a pretty name too!</p> + +<p>I didn't <i>mean</i> to be naughty. And I do wish +mother would make me understand all about +it; but Teddie is ill, and, of course, she can't +leave him until he's better. I shall have to +wait, I suppose. But I can't be happy again +until I have had a nice talk with mother. She +makes everything so <i>understand-ible</i>.</p> + +<p>What did nurse mean when she said, the +other day, "There's one comfort; Miss Ginevra's +character is still unformed"?</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="Illustration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img035.jpg"> + <img src="images/img035.jpg" width="400" + alt="DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> + +<h3><a name="st_4" id="st_4"></a><i>GULL'S "TWINSES."</i></h3> +<div class="center"> + <table class="sm" style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="poem"> +<tr><td align="left">"Children of wealth or want, to each is given</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">One spot of green, and all the blue of heaven!"</td></tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/img035a.jpg" width="75" alt="M" title="" /> +</div><div class="noindent">ind! mind! I say, Tom, you're +frizzing that 'erring black!"</div> + +<p>"I ain't."</p> + +<p>"My eyes! don't it smell fine? Oh! I do +wish father'd come. He's allus a long time +when the supper's 'ot;" and Bob, as he spoke, +heaved a sigh of such prodigious depth that it +might have come from his boots—if he had +possessed any, poor little man!</p> + +<p>These two small boys, Tom and Bob Gull, +were six years old.</p> + +<p>"We is only twinses," Bob would say.</p> + +<p>Perhaps he said "only" to make us +understand that they were just alike in the matter of +age, but that there the likeness ended.</p> + +<p>Bob, the merry and talkative, was the one +who led Tom, the quiet and silent. Bob's +twinkling, puppy-like eyes—which peeped at +you through a tangled fringe of brown hair—were +the exact contrast to Tom's shy blue eyes, +shaded by long, fair, girlish lashes. And Bob's +jolly little round figure seemed to say, "Anything, +be it meagre soup or even dry bread, +fattens <i>me</i>;" while Tom's thin little limbs gave +one a thought of unconscious cravings for appetising +food.</p> + +<p>The room where they were watching for father +was a third floor front in Pleasant Court, not +far from Waterloo Junction. Like many such +"living-rooms," it can be best described by +telling you that everything in it which should +be large was small, and the other way about.</p> + +<p>For instance, the fireplace was small and the +crack under the door very large. The cupboard +was very roomy, but the things kept in it +very much too small and scarce. The bed was +wide, but the blanket and counterpane sadly +narrow.</p> + +<p>Was there nothing that was as big as it +should be?</p> + +<p>Yes, indeed! In spite of these unsatisfactory +surroundings, there was as large-hearted a love +to be found in the small family which these +four walls sheltered from the cold outside world, +as any one could wish to see.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe father's <i>never</i> coming;" and +Bob sighed again.</p> + +<p>By this time the herring had found a cindery +resting-place on a plate before the fire, and +the twins were sitting side by side, with their +bare toes on the fender and their eyes fixed +upon the door, watching eagerly, like two little +terriers.</p> + +<p>But the sigh was answered by a distant sound, +the plod—plod—plodding of weary feet up the +two flights of uncarpeted stairs.</p> + +<p>Then there was a grand commotion! The +cushionless armchair was dragged nearer the +fire; the old slippers dropped sole uppermost +into the fender. And then Bob and Tom clung +with a vice-like embrace each to an arm of the +tall, gaunt, kindly eyed man who had opened +the door.</p> + +<p>"Father, father! the 'erring's done just lubly. +I <i>am</i> glad you're come at last!" This from Bob.</p> + +<p>The father's hard, rough hand rested upon his +tangled crop, but his eyes were looking into +Tom's upturned face.</p> + +<p>"And Tom, eh?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Jolly glad," answered the child readily.</p> + +<p>Then the three sat down to their evening meal.</p> + +<p>Would you like to know what it consisted of?</p> + +<p>Tea, of a watery description, but <i>hot</i> (Bob +took care of that) and <i>sweet</i>—at least, father's +cup, owing to Tom's kindly attentions with a +grimy thumb and finger. The herring. This, +of course, was the chief dish. Several tit-bits, +trembling upon father's fork, find their way into +the "twinses'" mouths.</p> + +<p>Lastly, bread and dripping.</p> +<p> </p> +<p>Gull had tried to teach his motherless lads +"to do as mother used." So there followed a +systematic cleaning and arranging of the small +supply of crockery.</p> + +<p>Tom was the first to find a seat upon father's +knee as he sat by the fire; but Bob soon +climbed opposite to him, and together they +looked with expectant eyes into father's face.</p> + +<p>And father rubbed his head ruefully as he +said, "Eh! I've got to tell the little lads summat +to-night, have I? But there's nothing new been +done, as far as I knows. It's the old dull story, +bairnies. The fewest tips when the weather's +the bitterest."</p> + +<p>Gull was an outside porter at Waterloo +Junction; and a slight lameness, caused by rheumatism, +often cost him dearly. If his step could +have been quicker, it would many times have +taken him in the front of the younger porters, +who darted forward and seemed to get all the +jobs. The sixpences came very slowly into his +pocket.</p> + +<p>To-night he felt more than usually <i>down</i>, as +he expressed it; and when he felt Tom's little +bare toes slipping for warmth under his strong +brown hand, tears crept into his eyes, and had +to be rubbed away with the back of his sleeve.</p> + +<p>Bob was very quick to notice this.</p> + +<p>"I say," he cried, "you've been and gone and +got something in your eye!"</p> + +<p>"Smuts," suggested Tom.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let me get them out, father! <i>Do!</i> I'll be +ever so gentle." And Bob suited the action to +the word by raising himself on his knees to a +level with Gull's face, and thrusting a screw of +his old jacket into the corner of the suffering eye.</p> + +<p>The operation ended in merry laughter, and +the boys never knew that the smuts were really +tears forced to the surface by an overburdened +heart.</p> + +<p>"Father was just <i>real</i> funny," that evening, as +Bob whispered to Tom, when half the blanket +covered them, later on—"just <i>real</i> funny, wasn't +he?"</p> + +<p>And Tom answered sleepily, but happily, +"Yes, jolly."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the tired bread-winner sat alone +by the fire, with all the fun faded from his face +as he wondered "how long bad times lasted +with most folks?" It was not until, with the +childlike simplicity that was part of his nature, +he had knelt and repeated the short and +perfect prayer with which his little lads had +made him so familiar, that any look of comfort +or hope returned to his care-lined face.</p> + +<p>A little anxiety, but a very pressing one just +now, came with the thought that the four dear +little feet, which had been treading the world +for the past weeks chilled and barefooted, would +very probably have to curl up piteously on the +cold pavement for some time longer. To get +two pairs of small boots, and hope for money to +pay for them by-and-by, never entered Gull's +head. He had always paid his way without +owing any man anything, as his father had +before him.</p> + +<p>Poor father! and poor little twins!</p> + +<p>Yet wishes are sometimes carried quickly to +their fulfilment; for a divine Lord changes them +into prayers as they go upward.</p> + +<p>The following evening, just at the hour when +his boys were again straining their ears for the +first sound of his footsteps, Gull was standing +against one of the lamp posts outside Waterloo +Station. He was peering anxiously into the +face of every passenger who entered the station, +every traveller who drove up from the busy +streets, every business man who hurried in from +the City.</p> + +<p>Gull's lips were hard set. His eyes had a +strained, anxious look; his expression was +that of a warrior who was fighting a battle +against heavy odds.</p> + +<p>All day long there had been an inward +struggle. Hour by hour the fight had been +prolonged. Would honesty win the day? Was +Gull leaning upon a strength mightier than his +own?</p> + +<p>He kept one hand buried in his pocket, always +fingering there a <i>something</i> which was the cause +of all this mental disturbance. His other hand +buttoned and unbuttoned his overcoat with +nervous restlessness.</p> + +<p>And as he watched, two gentlemen came +towards him under the gas lamps. They were +walking arm-in-arm, and talking earnestly about +shares and stocks, and all those mysterious and +fascinating things, that a certain Mr. Weller said +"always went up and down in the city."</p> + +<p>When Gull saw them he started forward, and +looked searchingly into the face of the elder of +the two. Then he followed them closely into +the station—shuffling along lamely but resolutely.</p> + +<p>Twice he put out his hand to touch this +gentleman's sleeves, but something stronger +than his will seemed to hold him back.</p> + +<p>At the platform gate the ticket collector +spoke to him.</p> + +<p>"What! are you going by the 6.5, Gull?"</p> + +<p>"No," he answered; "but I'm bound to have +a word with yon gent before he goes."</p> + +<p>"If it's a tip you're after, you're on the wrong +tack, mate. I know yon gentleman too well." +But he let Gull through the gate.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kingsley, the elder traveller, was settling +himself in a first-class carriage, and leisurely +enjoying the delightful employment of lighting +his first cigar after a long day's work, when Gull +opened the door and looked in.</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, sir," he began, "but did I +carry a box for you this morning to the South +Eastern, sir?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Kingsley looked him well over before he +answered, with a twinkle of amusement in his +little bright eyes—</p> + +<p>"What if you did, man? Wasn't the sixpence +heavy enough?"</p> + +<p>Gull knew now that he had found the man he +wanted. He drew his hand from his pocket +and held a bright half-sovereign towards Mr. +Kingsley.</p> + +<p>"That's what you give me, in mistake, sir," he +said huskily, adding, "I'm glad I remembered +who 'twas as give it to me."</p> + +<p>Again Mr. Kingsley looked the porter well +over. Then he turned his eyes to the further +end of the railway carriage, and was relieved to +see that his fellow-passenger was, to all +appearance, deeply interested in his evening paper. I +say, to all appearance, for the truth is that he +was listening to all that passed; and it is from +him that I heard this story, which is no fiction.</p> + +<p>Still, though satisfied that he was unnoticed, +Mr. Kingsley did not take the proffered coin. +After a moment's pause he said—</p> + +<p>"How did you find out that I was coming +back this way to-night?"</p> + +<p>"I seemed to know as you was a 'season,' +sir," Gull answered, "and I watched for you."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, man! and now, as to that half-sovereign. +I expect it will be of more use to +you than to me—eh? Keep it, man; keep it."</p> + +<p>Gull's pale cheeks flushed.</p> + +<p>He stammered out, "You'd—you'd best take +it back, sir." It seemed to him as if this was +some new form of that terrible temptation which +had been assailing him all that long day; and +he thrust the half-sovereign forward again.</p> + +<p>"No, no! Keep it, man!" repeated Mr. Kingsley. +"I'm not going to say a word about your +honesty. You are just as much a man as I am; +and a true man is always honest. But keep it, +<i>because</i> the Christmas bells will ring to-night."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>Written, the words appear cold; but said, as +Gull said them, they carried an amount of +warmth and gratitude which quite satisfied Mr. +Kingsley without the half-involuntary speech +that followed, "So there <i>will</i> be boots for the +little lads, after all!"</p> +<p> </p> +<p>"Bless the man! How jolly you look! Did +you get your tanner, then?"</p> + +<p>This was the ticket collector's greeting as +Gull passed.</p> + +<p>"Yon gent's a trump, and no mistake!" +answered the other as he hurried along, eager +for the delight which <i>such</i> a story would bring +to the little ears now listening for his coming in +that third floor front in Pleasant Court.</p> +<p> </p> +<p>I wonder what it was that moved Mr. Kingsley +to a wider generosity that evening than was +at all usual in the money-wise, business man? +Could it have been that he was led to it partly +by the fact—though he was quite unconscious +of it—that there was something similar in the +home relations of these two men?</p> + +<p>For Mr. Kingsley was also a widower; and +it was his little only daughter who was pressing +her tiny nose against the window-pane, and +trying to guess how many people would go by +the gate before daddy set it swinging and came +up the drive.</p> + +<p>Patsy's greeting was quite as loving and +vigorous as the one the "twinses" gave their +father every day. The slippers warming at the +fire were elegant braided ones, bound round +with velvet. Well! what of that? It was the +love that thought of putting them there which +made them so comfortable; and so, in that +respect, Gull's were quite as good to wear as +Mr. Kingsley's.</p> + +<p>When the two were comfortably settled, Patsy +began to rummage in all daddy's pockets.</p> + +<p>"It's Christmas present night!" she cried. +"Where's my little yellow money?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Kingsley felt in his pockets with a musing +air.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what my little maid will say," +he said at last, producing four half-crowns; +"but I have no nice half-sovereign for her +to-night—only these big ugly white things. It +is true they will buy quite as many toys. And +I <i>might</i> have had 'the yellow money,' only now, +I expect, it is turned into shoeleather."</p> + +<p>At the opening of this speech Patsy's face +had borne an expression of disgust and disappointment; +but before it was finished, it changed +to one of undisguised interest.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'm <i>sure</i> you've been in a fairy tale to-day, +daddy! You know I just <i>love</i> fairy stories. +<i>Do</i> begin at once, before nurse comes. Tell me +about it quickly—do, <i>please</i>."</p> + +<p>And so, out of the materials that Gull had +given him, Mr. Kingsley pleased his little +daughter by weaving a wonderful modern fairy +story. He had rather a talent that way, and +had learnt by experience the kind of stories that +the little ones like best. This time his +narrative was "truer" than he knew; and Patsy +acknowledged, when it was done, that it was +"the nicest and beautifullest that she had heard +for a long time."</p> + +<p>And while Patsy's father was telling the story +in his way, another version of it was being +repeated again and again to the twins, high up +in that old London house.</p> + +<p>They were never tired of hearing it, never +tired of asking questions; and all the time the +feeling of gratitude in their father's heart—which +had been like a little seed, planted there by the +kind words and gift of Mr. Kingsley—grew and +grew until he <i>longed</i> to <i>do</i> something. He had +only as yet said, "Thank you, sir;" but now he +longed to show his gratitude in a more fitting +way. So thought the "twinses," too, for Bob +said presently—</p> + +<p>"Father, shouldn't I just like to do something +nice for that gentleman! I wonder whether +you're like to see him again?"</p> + +<p>"In course, lad. I shall often see him pass, +I'll never forget him; but it's not so likely as +he'll remember me. Got summat better to do, +I reckon. Yes; he'll come most days, seeing as +he's a 'season.' But, there—you're right! I +don't feel as if I shall be able to rest until I've +done 'summat nice for him,' as you says, if it's +only to carry his bag for nothing. But summat +bigger nor that would <i>ease</i> me more. What a +rale gent he is, to be sure!"</p> + +<p>There was no disguising the tears that stood +in Gull's eyes now; and strange to say, he did +not try to hide from his "little lads" that they +were there.</p> + +<p>He made the boys put their feet, now so +stoutly booted, in a row upon the fender. How +the brass tips shone in the firelight! And there +was <i>such</i> a jolly noise when the heels knocked +against the floor! Bob made the grand discovery +that he could dance a hornpipe. And his sturdy +feet careered over the floor, clattering, tapping, +and jumping, until the quiet Tom was roused +into clapping and "hurrahing" with delight.</p> +<p> </p> +<p>His "act of irregular charity," as he called it, +quickly faded from Mr. Kingsley's mind—so +quickly, too, that when one of the outside +porters occasionally helped him more readily +than usual, or seemed less eager for the accustomed +"tip," he never thought that it might +have any connection with that Christmas Eve +adventure. He was short-sighted, too, and not +very quick to recognize faces. He did not know +that as he passed out of the station every morning, +Gull's eyes followed him with a pleasant +<i>remembering</i> look, that Gull's hand was always +ready to throw back the doors of the hansom +if the day was wet and he drove, and that Gull's +feet were swift to carry their owner away before +the accustomed "coppers" could be offered.</p> + +<p>The first question that always greeted Gull +when he got home to his boys in the evening +was, from Bob—</p> + +<p>"Did you see <i>our</i> gentleman to-day, father?" +echoed by Tom's eager—</p> + +<p>"Did you, father?"</p> +<p> </p> +<p>A year had nearly passed away. Christmas +was coming again, this time dressed in a mantle +of thick, choking fog and biting frost. The +days seemed to be turned into night. People +and things looked queerly distorted and unnaturally +large. The street lamps tried to pierce +the gloom all day with foolish, blinking eyes; +and every one took his full measure of grumbling.</p> + +<p>One evening Mr. Kingsley hurried up the +steps to Waterloo Junction with a feeling of +relief that the unknown perils of the gloomy +streets were safely past. He pushed his way +through a little group of idlers near one of the +doors, and was turning towards the booking-office, +when he was startled by a violent commotion +close behind him. He turned to find +two men—both tall, but one powerful and +thick-set, the other meagre and ill-clad—engaged +in a hand-to-hand struggle.</p> + +<p>His first impulse was to continue his way and +leave them to fight it out.</p> + +<p>"It is some wretched, drunken tramp," he +said to himself. But a second look showed him +that there was too much desperate method on +the part of both for this to be the case; and he +was looking round for a policeman to interpose +the "stern arm of the law," when the struggle +was ended as abruptly as it had begun.</p> + +<p>The stronger man of the two suddenly flung +his antagonist from him with an angry oath, and +then disappeared in the fog. He left the other +lying almost at Mr. Kingsley's feet—flung there +upon his back, with one hand hidden beneath +him. He lay motionless as death, silenced by +the force with which his head had struck the +ground. His white face and closed eyes sent a +quick fear to Mr. Kingsley's kindly heart as +he bent over him, and he turned to the two +porters who hurried up, to say—</p> + +<p>"The man's terribly hurt, I'm afraid. There +was a quarrel, and he was thrown down."</p> + +<p>While one of the men answered him the other +stooped down to look at the prostrate figure, +and then started to his feet again, crying—</p> + +<p>"Mate—it's Gull! It's Gull, I tell you! +What does it mean?"</p> + +<p>With the help of the policeman, who appeared +at this moment, and watched by the +usual curious crowd of onlookers, they bathed +Gull's face with cold water, forced brandy +between his lips, and chafed his cold hands. +Then it was that they discovered, tightly +clasped in the hand upon which he had been +lying, a folded leather case. The policeman +unbent the convulsive fingers, and examined +this with careful eyes.</p> + +<p>"However did Gull get hold of <i>this</i>, I +wonder?" was his exclamation.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kingsley looked at it with a puzzled +expression. It had a strange resemblance to +his own pocket-book! Thrusting his hand +hurriedly into his various pockets proved to +him, without a doubt, that his it was indeed. +And a few words were sufficient to convince +the policeman of his right to claim it.</p> + +<p>But here a sudden movement from Gull +turned all eyes towards him once more.</p> + +<p>He raised himself to a sitting position, and +with one hand to his poor dazed head, gazed +with dim, half-unconscious eyes at the other +held before him—wide open and empty!</p> + +<p>As he gazed, a bitter cry escaped his lips.</p> + +<p>"Then the brute has made off with it, +after all!"</p> +<p> </p> +<p>This, you see, was the way in which Gull +"eased himself," as he expressed it, and satisfied +the demands that gratitude made upon his +honest heart.</p> + +<p>I have very little more to tell you, and that +you could almost guess for yourself.</p> + +<p>Gull spent a few quiet days on his bed, +attended devotedly by his little lads, who were +much over-awed at father's "bein' took bad," +and filled with wide-eyed wonder when "our +gentleman" climbed the old staircase more +than once, to see how father was, and to +provide for him some new comfort.</p> + +<p>Once again, two versions of a true story were +told in two separate homes. It was the version +that the "twinses" heard which was the shortest +in the telling.</p> + +<p>"Tell us all about it, father," said Bob, when +Gull was "rested" enough to talk to his boys.</p> + +<p>"Nay, lad, there ain't much to tell. I just +collared the thief as he was making off with +Mr. Kingsley's pocket-book, and he didn't +like it somehow, and threw me down. But +that's all about it."</p> + +<p>"Oh! but you got the pocket-book from him +first, you know, father."</p> + +<p>"Ay! I did that," Gull answered, with a +smile; and there the <i>telling</i> of the story ended. +I don't know when the <i>acting</i> of it will be +finished, for there was a difference in the lives +of Gull and his "twinses" from that day +forward—"all along of Mr. Kingsley's kindness," +as they would tell you; but "because +I have found an honest man," as Mr. Kingsley +himself would say to little Patsy.</p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="Illustration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img056.jpg"> + <img src="images/img056.jpg" width="150" + alt="DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"> +<table style="margin: 0 auto" cellpadding="4" summary="Illustration"> + <tr> + <td align="center"> + <a href="images/img057.jpg"> + <img src="images/img057.jpg" width="400" + alt="DECORATION" /></a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> +<p> </p> + +<h3><a name="st_5" id="st_5"></a><i>THE B. D. S.</i></h3> +<p> </p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/img007a.jpg" width="75" alt="T" title="" /> +</div><div class="noindent">he Bill had passed the House of +Commons [I mean, you know, that +nurse had approved of it], and +much anxiety was felt among the little pleaders +as to its first reading in the Upper House—<i>i. e.</i> +would mother say "Yes!"</div> + +<p>They all knew that mother had a clear +judgment; but it was just her far-seeing +power that made them tremble. She might +see breakers ahead which they knew nothing +about.</p> + +<p>And perhaps mother <i>did</i> see a few objections +to this new plan. However that may be, as the +little ones presented their petition, she smiled.</p> + +<p>This was, indeed, a good sign, and more than +that, the smile was followed by a ready consent +as the plan was unfolded.</p> + +<p>The Bill was passed. Hurrah!</p> + +<p>The B. D. Society was allowed; and mother +had actually agreed to be patroness and prize-giver.</p> + +<p>"What a dear, jolly mother she is!"</p> + +<p>"She's a duck, and no mistake!"</p> + +<p>Rather unbusinesslike language, but very +expressive!</p> + +<p>Well, but what did it mean, this B. D. S.?</p> + +<p>It was only a Bedroom Decorating Society. +But it seemed a very beautiful idea to the four +curly headed little girls who sat squeezed up +together in the large nursery armchair.</p> + +<p>Pattie, Mollie, Kitty, and Norah. Four little +Irish maidens, with this lovely plan to talk +over and make perfect, while a snowstorm kept +them indoors to-day.</p> + +<p><i>Pattie.</i> "Don't let's tell each other how we'll +do our rooms until afterwards."</p> + +<p><i>Norah.</i> "You'll <i>never</i> keep your plans to +yourself. You never <i>could</i> keep anything in."</p> + +<p><i>Mollie (up in arms for her sister).</i> "Don't +be nasty, Norah, or something <i>bad</i> will happen +to you!"</p> + +<p><i>Norah (looking a little ashamed of herself +and wisely changing the subject).</i> "Let's begin +now. We'll take all the things out of our +rooms first, and then put them back in new +places—shall us?"</p> + +<p>As you may guess, the B. D. S. was intended +to promote a general taste for artistic style in +the children's bedrooms, or as Kitty expressed +it, simply and to the point, "It is to make +us put our things <i>illigantly</i>."</p> + +<p>Mother determined to let this new idea have +a fair trial; though she could not help feeling a +little nervous as she heard the scrimmaging of +the furniture, and thought of possible breakages.</p> + +<p>She sat at her needlework, and listened to the +distant sounds which reached her faintly from +the rooms above. Then she began to wonder +whether the excitement and interest would last +out the fortnight, at the end of which she had +been asked to present a prize.</p> + +<p>Suddenly her motherly heart gave a terrible +throb.</p> + +<p>There was a thud—thud—thud, and that +horrid bumping sound, as something soft tumbled +over and over down the stairs.</p> + +<p>With a white face she rushed out of the +dining-room, to see little Norah and a large +bolster roll on to the floor at her feet!</p> + +<p>A breathless scream escaped from the terrified +child.</p> + +<p>The three other curly heads were peeping +through the banisters, and three pairs of Irish +blue eyes were looking horribly scared and +unhappy.</p> + +<p>But mother did not see them.</p> + +<p>She picked up the screaming Norah, and +carried her into the dining-room, while nurse +came running from the kitchen and her +ironing.</p> + +<p>All the time that the sobbing little victim of +the B. D. S. was being soothed into calmness, +and the big swelling wheal on her forehead +bathed and tended, Pattie, Mollie, and Kitty—upstairs—looked +at one another in frightened +silence. Then Mollie said sadly—</p> + +<p>"I <i>knew</i> something would happen to Norah. +It always does if she says nasty things."</p> + +<p>"Rubbish, Mollie! That's nonsense! She +fell down because her bolster was so big, and +she couldn't see where the stairs came!" cried +Pattie.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to see where she's hurted herself," +announced little Kitty; and she trudged +off, leaving Pattie and Mollie to sort the heap of +odds and ends that lay on the landing.</p> + +<p>They went about it in doleful silence at +first.</p> + +<p>Then Mollie said, "This <i>is</i> my counterpane—isn't +it, Pattie?"</p> + +<p>"No; that's Norah's. Don't you see the +corner all crumpled up which she holds in her +hand when she goes to sleep?"</p> + +<p>"Oh dear! oh dear! I don't think, after all, +that it's <i>easy</i> having a B. D. S. It seemed just +to spoil it all when Norah went thumping down—down, +like a big ball."</p> + +<p>Pattie gave a little sigh, too, and was putting +down the chair she was carrying that she might +rest her arms and have room for another deeper +sigh, when mother's voice was heard calling—</p> + +<p>"Mollie! Pattie! I want you down here!"</p> + +<p>Off they ran, feeling down in their little +hearts that mother <i>must</i> know how to put things +happy again.</p> + +<p>First of all they looked with interested and +pitying eyes at Norah, whose head had become +an odd shape, and whose face was white and +patchy. Then they stood side by side with +Kitty, watching mother's face, and waiting.</p> + +<p>"The B. D. S. has had a bad beginning, +dears," she said. "I don't think it was a good +plan to pull everything out of your rooms to +start with. But never mind that now."</p> + +<p>As mother spoke she kept one hand behind +her chair, and she smiled.</p> + +<p>She was sorry for her little girls.</p> + +<p>"I am going to propose," she went on, "that +you should alter your society a little bit. The +<i>letters</i> will be the same. It will still be the +B. D. S.; but the work will be different and +easier."</p> + +<p>The little faces all brightened as she continued—</p> + +<p>"I like my little girls to be tidy and neat in +their rooms; but I think mother knows best +how the furniture should stand, and where the +things look nicest. So I suggest that we call +our society the Bedroom <i>Dusting</i> Society. I +will give you each a little cloth, and you shall +dust your rooms every morning after nurse has +made the beds. And <i>once a week</i> I will award +a prize."</p> + +<p>Then mother drew her hand forward and held +before their eyes a Japanese fan, with a long +handle, to which was tied a dainty bow of blue +ribbon.</p> + +<p>"This," she said, "shall be given next Saturday +to the tidiest of the four members of your +society. Now, what do you think of my +plan?"</p> + +<p>"It's just splendid, mother darling!" was the +unanimous cry of the listeners; and a tangle +of soft loving arms nearly throttled her in a +sudden embrace.</p> + +<p>"And you <i>know</i>," came in a plaintive voice +from Norah, "if you always give us a pretty +thing like that for a prize, it <i>will</i> be the Bedroom +<i>Decorating</i> Society, too!"</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>THE END.</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="narrow" /> + +<h6>PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES.</h6> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<hr class="minimal" /> +<p> </p> +<h3>PUBLICATIONS</h3> +<h5>OF THE</h5> +<h2><i>Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.</i></h2> +<hr class="tiny" /> +<div class="center"><p class="noindent"><span class="sm"><i>Most of these Works may be had in Ornamental Bindings,<br /> +with Gilt Edges, at a small Extra charge.</i></span></p></div> +<hr class="tiny" /> +<p class="right"><i>s.<span class="ind1"> </span>d.</i></p> +<p class="revind"><b>Adventurous Voyage of the "Polly," and other Yarns.</b><br /> +By the late <span class="smallcaps">S. W. Sadler</span>, R.N. With four page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>3<span class="ind1"> </span>0</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>All is Lost save Honour.</b><br /> +A Story of to-day. By <span class="smallcaps">Catherine M. Phillimore</span>,<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Alone Among the Zulus.</b><br /> +By a <span class="smallcaps">Plain Woman</span>. The Narrative of a Journey<br /> +through the Zulu Country. With four page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>An Innocent.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">S. M. Sitwell</span>. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Baron's Head (The).</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Francis Vyvian</span>. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>0</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Behind the Clouds.</b><br /> +A Story of Village Life. By <span class="smallcaps">Grace Hamilton</span>.<br /> +Printed on toned paper, with three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>0</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Belfrey of St. Jude (The).</b><br /> +A Story by <span class="smallcaps">Esmè Stuart</span>, author of "Mimi." With<br /> +three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Bernard Hamilton, Curate of Stowe.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Mary E. Shipley</span>. With four page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>0</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Brag and Holdfast.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Eadgyth</span>, author of "The Snow Fort," &c. With<br /> +three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Captain Eva.</b><br /> +The Story of a Naughty Girl. By <span class="smallcaps">Kathleen Knox</span>.<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Chryssie's Hero.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Annette Lyster</span>, author of "Fan's Silken String."<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Christabel the Flower Girl of Covent Garden.</b><br /> +By the author of "Our Valley," &c. With three page<br /> +illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Cruise of the "Dainty," (The); or, Rovings in the Pacific.</b><br /> +By the late <span class="smallcaps">W. H. G. Kingston</span>. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Engel the Fearless.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Elizabeth H. Mitchell</span>. With four page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>3<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Fan's Silken String.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Annette Lyster</span>, author of "Northwind and Sunshine,"<br /> +&c. With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Fortunes of Hassan (The).</b><br /> +Being the strange story of a Turkish Refugee, as told by<br /> +himself. By the author of "Our Valley," "Rosebuds."<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Frontier Fort (The); or Stirring Times in the North-West<br /> +Territory of British America.</b><br /> +By the late <span class="smallcaps">W. H. G. Kingston</span>. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Geoffrey Bennett.</b><br /> +By Mrs. <span class="smallcaps">Isla Sitwell</span>, author of the "Church Farm."<br /> +With three page wood cuts. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>3<span class="ind1"> </span>0</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Great Captain (The). An Eventful Chapter in Spanish History.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Ulick R. Burke, M.A.</span> With two page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>0</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Hasselaers (The).</b><br /> +A Tale of Courage and endurance. By <span class="smallcaps">E. E. Cooper</span>.<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Invasion of Ivylands (The).</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Annette Lyster</span>, author of "Fan's Silken String."<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>John Holbrook's Lessons.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">M. E. Palgrave</span>. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>King's Warrant (The).</b><br /> +A Tale of Old and New France. By <span class="smallcaps">A. H. Engelbach</span>.<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Lettice.</b><br /> +By Mrs. <span class="smallcaps">Molesworth</span>, author of "Carrots." With<br /> +three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>0</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Little Brown Girl (The).</b><br /> +A Story for Children. By <span class="smallcaps">Esmè Stuart</span>, author of<br /> +"Mimi," &c. With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Mate of the "Lily" (The); or, Notes from Harry Musgrave's<br /> +Log Book.</b><br /> +By the late <span class="smallcaps">W. H. G. Kingston</span>, author of "Owen<br /> +Hartley," &c., With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Mike.</b><br /> +A Tale of the Great Irish Famine. By the Rev. <span class="smallcaps">E. N.<br /> +Hoare, M.A.</span>, author of "Between the Locks." With<br /> +three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Mimi: a Story of Peasant Life in Normandy.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Esmè Stuart</span>, author of "The Little Brown Girl."<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Mrs. Dobbs' Dull Boy.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Annette Lyster</span>, author of "Northwind and Sunshine,"<br /> +&c. With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>My Lonely Lassie.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Annette Lyster</span>, author of "Mrs. Dobbs' Dull Boy."<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Our Valley.</b><br /> +By the author of "The Children of Seeligsberg," &c.<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Percy Trevor's Training.</b><br /> +By the Rev. <span class="smallcaps">E. N. Hoare, M.A.</span>, author of "Two<br /> +Voyages," &c. With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Philip Vandeleur's Victory.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">C. H. Eden</span>, author of "Australia's Heroes," "The<br /> +Fifth Continent," &c. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Pillars of Success (The).</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">Crona Temple</span>, author of "Griffenhoof," &c. With<br /> +three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Reclaimed.</b><br /> +A Tale. By <span class="smallcaps">A. Eubule Evans</span>. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Round my Table.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">H. L. Childe-Pemberton</span>, author of "The Topmost<br /> +Bough," &c. With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Steffan's Angel, and other Stories.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">M. E. Townsend</span>. With three page illustrations. +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Stories from Italian History.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">B. Montgomerie Ranking</span>. With two page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Sweet William.</b><br /> +By Mrs. <span class="smallcaps">Thomas Erskine</span>. With three page illustrations.<br /> +Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>1<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Two Shipmates (The).</b><br /> +By the late <span class="smallcaps">W. H. G. Kingston</span>, author of "Ned Garth."<br /> +With three page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>2<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Una Crichton.</b><br /> +By the author of "Our Valley," &c. With four page<br /> +illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>3<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> + +<p class="revind"><b>Will's Voyages.</b><br /> +By <span class="smallcaps">F. Frankfort Moore</span>, author of "The Fate of the<br /> +Black Swan." With four page illustrations. Crown 8vo.</p> +<p class="right"><i>cloth boards</i><span class="ind2"> </span>3<span class="ind1"> </span>6</p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="tiny" /> +<p> </p> +<h5><span class="smallcaps">London: Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, W.C.</span></h5> +<h6>43, <span class="wide">QUEEN VICTORIA STREET,</span> E.C.<br /> +BRIGHTON: 135, NORTH STREET.</h6> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Nearly Bedtime, by H. Mary Wilson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEARLY BEDTIME *** + +***** This file should be named 36293-h.htm or 36293-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/2/9/36293/ + +Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/36293-h/images/img003.jpg b/36293-h/images/img003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..28cc6e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img003.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img003a.jpg b/36293-h/images/img003a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..366661c --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img003a.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img004.jpg b/36293-h/images/img004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..527d594 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img004.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img005.jpg b/36293-h/images/img005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c7439a --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img005.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img007.jpg b/36293-h/images/img007.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3842565 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img007.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img007a.jpg b/36293-h/images/img007a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..962e3d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img007a.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img020.jpg b/36293-h/images/img020.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4edd1bb --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img020.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img029.jpg b/36293-h/images/img029.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f313a65 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img029.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img029a.jpg b/36293-h/images/img029a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f020edf --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img029a.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img035.jpg b/36293-h/images/img035.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e11a415 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img035.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img035a.jpg b/36293-h/images/img035a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c8a9c1f --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img035a.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img056.jpg b/36293-h/images/img056.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9f9a9a --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img056.jpg diff --git a/36293-h/images/img057.jpg b/36293-h/images/img057.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ee77c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/36293-h/images/img057.jpg |
