"A shabby old thing she had done wearing!"
"It was as good as new. You said so yourself," persisted Nelly. "And Mrs. Kirkland and Miss Powell have never been any thing but good to me. People have to be strict where there is so much going on."
"Oh, of course she is all right! Every one is all right but me. But never mind. What are you going to do for Christmas?"
"I haven't made up my mind; only I shall buy a nice shawl for granny, if I have money enough. I have been making her such a pretty worsted hood, of this new pattern,—shaped like a little bonnet, you know,—and I don't know how much I shall have left. I have not counted up my money."
"Do you suppose Mrs. Kirkland will give you a present?"
"I don't know. I have not thought any thing about it. I should like to give Miss Powell something, if I have money enough."
"You couldn't give her any thing worth while," said Kitty. "She wouldn't care for any thing you could afford to buy. You had better spend the money on yourself, and get something decent to wear."
"I haven't thought of that yet. I suppose I must have a shawl. But I don't want to spend any more than I can help."
A few days before Christmas, Mr. Lambert came into the store and asked for Nelly. He had a square parcel in his hand, which he gave her, saying,—
"I have brought you a little Christmas present, Nelly. It is somewhat before the time; but I am going away to New York, and I wanted to give it you with my own hands. Open it and see how you like it."