54 ‘THE FIRST GLASS OF WINE ;

 

6¢¢ What a iptenia Christmas’ we shall :

have?’ said the boy, cheerily, as he trudged : o

on. ‘A real chicken-pie! Only think of it,
Emma! I have almost forgotten how
chicken-pie tastes.’ “
‘¢<¢ Yes, and mother said we should have eS
a jou fire to-day, though the wood is low, |
said the girl. «And she said we would play

some games such as she used to play when

she was young, because it is Christmas.’

66 6 O Emma { pe said ‘the boy, ‘ suppose wee

father should come home and spoil it all. he :

A cloud came over his face at the thought,
“No fear of that,’ said Emma. ‘You |

heard him say that he had been at work yes- ’

terday, didn’t you? And when he has been “ |

at work, you know he always goes off on a

_ spree and stays three or four days. No fear

of seeing him to-day.’