THE LITTLE PLAY MITTENS.
The play was finished amidst a tremendous clapping of hands, and the curtain fell.
Then the company began to talk just as fast as they could. They were astonished at seeing the play so well acted, and laughed over and over again when they recalled the comical little gardener and waiter, who wore such funny dresses, and knew their parts so perfectly, and acted with such serious faces. Minnie came in, too, for her share of praise,—indeed, every one was excellent; and when the children made their appearance a few minutes afterward—still dressed as they were in the play—they were received with more clapping of hands, and this time with plenty of kisses too.
After that, some ice cream and cake were handed round; and then the company went home perfectly delighted, resolving in their own minds to get up something themselves in behalf of the soldiers. So certain is it, that one good action will prompt another.
The Little Mother hastily counted over the nice warm mittens with their thumbs and fingers sticking out in every direction, while the children looked on with breathless interest.
"Fifty-seven pairs," said the Little Mother.
"Fifty-seven pairs!" echoed the children, with a shout that made the windows rattle. "Oh, goody! goody! goody! how glad we are!" and they danced round the pile which lay on the floor in perfect ecstasies.
"How glad brother George will be!" said Willie.
"Oh, if he could only have been here to-night," said Clara, and her loving eyes filled with tears.
The Little Mother's lip trembled. She knew that her soldier boy, sooner or later, must know what a battle was; and a prayer rose in her heart that a Protecting Power would guard him from harm, and return him safe to her loving arms.