This made a great laugh round the table, and finally Lillie had to teach Willie how to spell this difficult word, and she repeated the lesson so often, and so kindly, that before an hour, Willie could spell "cat" just as well as Mr. Appleton himself! think of that! and he (Willie, not Mr. Appleton) was so proud of his new accomplishment, that he took an opportunity to run away, and his nurse went hunting after him, and found that he had scrabbled down the stairs backwards, which was his way of getting down in the world, (and I'm sure it is better than plunging headlong, as some people do,) and trotted into the kitchen to teach the cook and a little butcher boy who had just brought in the dinner, to spell "cat," and asked her in return for this kindness, to make him a "turnover pie," which you may be sure she did.
Willie teaching the Cook to spell Cat.
A few days after this, the joyous Christmas came, the day on which our blessed Saviour was born, when everybody ought to be grateful and joyful, if they possibly can.
On this day, Annie, Lillie, and Willie were in perfect ecstasies, so many kisses, and so many presents poured in upon them, and all tokens of so much love; that made the charm.
Lillie, especially, was enchanted with two rings she received; a pretty gold ring, and one of red cornelian. Only think! the grandeur and dignity of two rings at once, on her little white fingers! the very idea set her singing and skipping with joy. "Dear me," she said, "two wedding rings! how delightful! I shall begin a play 'mediately. Come, Annie and Willie, let's play I was a grand lady dressed in two rings, coming to make you a visit." Accordingly, Annie spread herself out as wide as she could, and Willie, as he didn't happen to wear a hoop, concluded to spread himself up as high as he could, which he effected by putting on a "sojer cap" with a long feather, and they sat up in state to receive the company, and had a splendid time, when the two rings, and the lady, walked majestically in.
The next day, a lady called upon Lillie's mother, and said, "How did Annie like the ring I sent her?"
"Annie? Lillie, you mean."
"Oh, no," said the lady, "I sent the cornelian ring to Annie."
This announcement troubled Lillie's mother. She knew her little girl thought more of this cornelian ring, than of all the rest of her presents; but she promised the lady, who was their cousin, it should be given to the rightful owner.