BLUE-BIRD'S "OPPORTUNITY." 105

Maggie's shouts of laughter, he was soon "He called us 'beggar brats,' said
running races with Tommy, much to the Tommy, pointing to Hal. He said as
delight of all concerned, how we was a waiting' for cold vittles, and
 It was then, that Blue-bird crept quietly teased him to slide us; and we aint beg-
away and hurried up to Aunt Kate's room. gars-we're company, 'cause you asked
 Oh, Aunty, if she only had-some us to come in here-so "
mittens-and stockings-and a hood-" There was something of the philoso-
 Aunt Kate hadn't been up in the attic pher hidden away under Tommy's old
for nothing. On a chair lay the very ar- hat; but he finished his sentence with
tides wanted, the naughty words, again, whereupon
 "May I put them on her myself, and Blue-bird spoke quickly:
will it really be doing good, as Jesus told "But, Tommy, I said you mustn't
us to ?" asked Fanny, earnestly, talk so, if you came in."
 I think it will," said Aunt Kate, with "I know 't; and I didn't-not till he
a kiss. But still Blue-bird lingered, hold- 'sulted me." It was Tommy who looked
ing the bundle in her arms. Do you the brigadier-general now.
s'pose-Jesus dul good-to folks-that Hal hung his head. "'Twas just as I
weren't clean ?" told Fan it would be. Maurice Somers
 "I don't suppose the multitudes that came along and began to laugh, wanted
followed him, were very different from to know if they were related. I had to
the poor he said we should have with us, say something."
always replied Aunt Kate, smiling. Oh Hal! exclaimed Blue-bird, re-
 Re-assured, Fanny rushed down stairs, proachfully, and then she turned to Mag-
again. "Here, Maggie," she said, "take gie. I'm very sorry-he forgot-about
off your shawl, and let me put on this the 'ought;' but I should so like you to
warm hood-" have the hood."
 I don't want yer old duds," interrup- "I want it, the worst kind," said Mag-
ted Maggie, hugging her shawl tightly, gie, relenting. "This old shawl chokes
" I'm as good as you, any day, for all yer so under my chin."
rigged out in satin an' silk." But we aint beggars, an' we hev cold
 Blue-bird drew back in dismay, tears vittles enough to home-most always,"
filling her eyes. Do you suppose-the added Tommy sturdily.
poor folks talked so to Jesus ?" she whis- No, you aren't beggars, but isn't it
pered to Aunt Kate, who had followed nice ? asked Blue-bird, tying the warm
her down to the door. knit hood over the little red ears.
 "I suppose they did, but he kept on -olly !" emphasized Maggie. "And
helping them just the same, remember, mittens, too ? Oh my I shall let Tommy
Wouldn't you like the warm hood, Mag- wear one."
gie ?" "It would look ever so much nicer if
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