“Fairies’ fiddlestick!” rejoined Mrs. Crump. “Come and get dressed directly.”

“Oh, Bertha, Bertha, I have had such a wonderful dream; just like being at the play. I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Well, never mind now,” replied Bertha, snubbing him with all the importance of a sister three or four years his senior. “Make haste and dress, or we shan’t go to Aunt Julia’s ball, which I care more about.”

CHRISTMAS-TIME.

Tis Christmas time!—the joyous time,

When, loud from belfry towers, the chime

Of merry bells, so glad and gay,

Proclaim the holy Christmas-day.

The church is decked with holly bright,