"Yes. This hamper is to go to her; it contains a chicken, and a pudding, and a few other things, and you're to send it off from Oxford. Here's the money to pay the carriage. Tell me the address."
He did so, and Mrs. John wrote it on the label, which she proceeded to affix to the hamper.
"Ma'am, I can never thank you properly," the young man stammered, quite overcome with gratitude and surprise. He looked at the shilling Mrs. John had given him, then at the hamper. "God bless you for your goodness!" he added fervently.
"It's your master's doing. It's nothing to do with me. There, take the hamper away with you. By-the-by, I hear you've a little son, Butt; I hope his father will be a good example to him."
The tone in which this was said was more cordial than the words, and Butt carried off the hamper with a radiant countenance.
"I think I never saw any one look more pleased," observed Jane. "Who comes now?" she exclaimed, as there was a loud knock at the back door.
She went to see, and reappeared bearing a large wooden box which she deposited on the kitchen table, saying—
"It's come by the railway van, and it's directed to you, Miss Mavis. There's nothing to pay, but you must please sign this book, to show it's been delivered safely."
"Oh, it's Miss Dawson's Christmas-box, for certain!" cried Rose.
Whilst Mavis, feeling very important and excited, signed the delivery book under Jane's directions.