THE PRESENTS. 17.

Phonny’s note. The bandages, Phonny reads his note.

polished, and the point of the small blade was as sharp
as a needle. Phonny uttered several exclamations of
delight, and then shut the blades up again. In the mean
time, a note addressed to Phonny had dropped out, and
had fallen down upon the grass. Malleville picked it up
and held itin her hand. Phonny was not, however, yet
ready to read it. He wished first to open the small and
thin envelope which had been wrapped round the knife.

He found it contained a long and narrow linen rag, in
the form of a bandage, very’ neatly folded up, and also a
sheet of court-plaster. Phonny looked very much sur-
prised to see these things, and then opened his note to
get an explanation. He read as follows :—

“DEAR PHONNY,
“T send herewith a new knife for you, and also
a bandage and some court-plaster for your cut fingers.
For small cuts the court-plaster will do, but when you go
in to the bone, I would recommend holding your finger in
cold water awhile, and then doing it up with the bandage.
“ Yours, affectionately,
“ BEECHNUT.”

«P.S. You need not be afraid of this knife, for it is
very sharp, and so will make clean cuts, that will heal

very easily.”

‘¢ Nonsense,” said Phonny. “I don’t mean to cut my
fingers at all with the knife.”

There was still one more small parcel to open. Tt was
addressed to Malleville. Malleville opened it and found
a long blue ribbon inside. ‘The ribbon was pretty wide