"Well," said Alice, "we shall take you with us, when we go on our shopping tour."
"I know a German firm where you can get the real German candles, and glass balls, and all the shiners and tinklers to glorify your tree, and a little angel to stick on the top. A tip-top notice from me in the paper will make them shell out for us like thunder."
Mr. St. John opened his large, thoughtful, blue eyes on Jim with an air of innocent wonder. He knew as little of children and their ways as most men, and was as helpless about all the details of their affairs as he was desirous of a good result.
"I leave it all in your hands," he said, meekly; "only, wherever I can be of service, command me."
It was probably from pure accident that Mr. St. John as he spoke looked at Angie, and that Angie blushed a little, and that Jim Fellows twinkled a wicked glance across at Alice. Such accidents are all the while happening, just as flowers are all the while springing up by the wayside. Wherever man and woman walk hand in hand, the earth is sown thick with them.
It was a later hour than usual when Miss Dorcas and Mrs. Betsey came back to their home.
"Is Jack come home?" was the first question.
No, Jack had not come.