"There," said he, "that proves that a boy can do a girl's work."

"Yes," said Laura, "when"--then she stopped and smiled.

"When what?" asked Arthur.

"When he has a girl to show him how," laughed Laura, as she
danced out of the room with the cranberry strings.



CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA.

"To think that this is Christmas Day!"
Said Harold to his aunt,
"I know it really is, and yet,
Believe it--well, I can't!
I've had a tree, my stocking, too,
This morning full I found,
But how can I believe it
With no snow upon the ground?

Look at the sea so bright and blue,
And feel the soft, warm air,
And there are roses all in bloom,
And lilies, I declare!
I think that California
Is lovely, but it's queer,
How different Christmas is at home
From what it is out here."