"God bless you, my boy! May it buy for you the dearest wish of your heart."
"Ha ha!" laughed the little tin soldier for he knew the dearest wish of the boy far better than the priest knew it.
Mr. Singleton called soon after Father O'Neil had gone away.
"The top of the morning to you!" he shouted, as he came into Bob's room.
"It's all right top and bottom," Bob answered cheerfully.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" the minister went on. "I'm a regular Santa Claus this morning. I've got a thousand dollars that Mr. Bing sent me. It's for any one that needs help."
"We'll be all right as soon as our load of wood comes. It will be here to-morrow morning," said the Shepherd.
"I'll come and cut and split it for you," the minister proposed. "The eloquence of the axe is better than that of the tongue these days. Meanwhile, I'm going to bring you a little jag in my wheelbarrow. How about beefsteak and bacon and eggs and all that?"
"I guess we've got enough to eat, thank you." This was not quite true, for Bob, thinking of the sick, whose people could not go to market, was inclined to hide his own hunger.