or, The Silver Skates 55

make good trade; and, as it’s right hungry weather, you
may buy four waffles. Well keep the Feast of St. Nicholas,
after all.”

Gretel clapped her hands. “That will be fine! Annie
Bouman told me what grand times they will have in the big
houses to-night. But we shall be merry too. Hans will have
beautiful new skates,—and then there ’ll be the waffles!
Oh-h! Don’t break them, Brother Hans. Wrap them
well, and button them under your jacket very carefully.”

“Certainly,” replied Hans, quite gruff with pleasure and
importance.

“© mother !” cried Gretel, in high glee, “ soon you will be
busied with the father, and now you are only knitting. Do
tell us all about St. Nicholas.”

Dame Brinker laughed to see Hans hang up his hat, and
prepare to listen. ‘¢ Nonsense, children!” she said. ‘I have
told it to you often.”

“ Tell us again! oh, @ tell us again!” cried Gretel, throw-
ing herself upon the wonderful wooden bench that her brother
had made on the mother’s last birthday. Hans, not wishing
to appear childish, and yet quite willing to hear the story, stood
carelessly swinging his skates against the fireplace.

“ Well, children, you shall hear it ; but we must never waste
the daylight again in this way. Pick up your ball, Gretel, and
let your sock grow as I talk. Opening your ears need not shut
your fingers. St. Nicholas, you must know, is a wonderful
saint. He keeps his eye open for the good of sailors; but he
cares most of all for boys and girls. Well, once upon a time,
when he was living on the earth, a merchant of Asia sent his
three sons to a great city, called Athens, to get learning.”

“Ts Athens in Holland,.mother ?” asked Gretel.