The Magic Painter 23

You must know, to begin with, that
Doris’s father is a painter, and that he
delights above all things in making por-
traits of his daughter. Moreover, as is
only natural, these pictures, giving him
such great pleasure in the painting, are
no whit less to the taste of those for
whom he works. So Doris can hardly
remember the time when she was not ~
accustomed to sit for him.

“What a jolly dog yours is, Doris,” said
the Visitor one morning in the garden.
‘What do you call him ?”

“T call him Christmas,” said Doris.

“Did you get him given to you at
Christmas ?”

“Yes. At least
looked at her companion rather critically.
“Would you like to hear another of my
secrets ?”

“Of course I should,” said the Visitor,
and the story followed without further
delay.

One Christmas Eve, Doris was sent to

 

” Doris paused and