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100 UNOPENED PARCELS. waited ,ome time for my turn, and now, for once in my l* e on such an occasion, was disappointed. I did not speak, however, but a silence so unusual -we all being in the habit of shouting over our gifts, much as lions roar over their food-attracted my father's attention, who, seated in his chair on the other side of the rug, was reading the newspaper. He looked over the top of this now, and asked, "Honor, what is it ?" "Only a walnut, papa," said I, as indifferently as I could, though ready to cry all the time. You may have it, if you like," I added, crossing the rug, and offering it to him. "I will go and fetch the crackers." You see, I wanted to get out of the room, for then, at any rate, I could have cried or stamped a little without being observed. But my father, who had dropped his newspaper when he took the walnut from my hand, now laid hold of me round the waist with the other arm, and drew me towards him. I felt to dread being looked at, but my father would look. Nay, he set me right before him, and gazed full into my eyes. It was