"You are to have a nice new desk, with a key to it, all your own."
"O, that's prime, Mother," said Harry; "and where shall I keep it?"
"In my little writing room, if you like, Harry."
"Yes, Mother; and then I can talk a little now and then to you, I suppose."
"Sometimes, Harry; and I doubt not that Frank will let you come, now and then, to his closet. I don't want this closet to separate you; but, on the contrary, to be the means of making you better friends, because it will help Frank to be a better boy, and so always to set you a good example."
"It is rather hard, Mother, for a boy to set a good example. I don't think I ever did such a thing in my life."
"Mother," said Harry, "you told us that you had been translating a little story from a French book, to read to us some evening. We shall have time enough to-night, for you know you promised to let us sit up till the clock strikes twelve; so we can talk, and read, and tell stories too. There will be time enough for all, before Mr. Old Year goes out and Mr. New Year comes in."
Mrs. Chilton consented. Frank placed her little stand by her, with the German lamp upon it, in the way she liked to have it, and she read as follows:—