to it, in the corner square, lay the gold dollar.

Comfort took the ring out, shut the box-lid down, turned the key, and
fled. She thought some one called her name as she went upstairs, and
she stopped and listened; but all she heard was the clock ticking and
her father snoring and her heart beating. Then she kept on to her own
chamber, and put out her candle, and crept into her feather-bed under
the patchwork quilts. There she lay all night, wide awake, with the
gold ring clasped tightly in her little cold fist.

When Comfort came downstairs the next morning there was a bright red
spot on each cheek, and she was trembling as if she had a chill.

Her mother noticed it, and asked if she was cold, and Comfort said,
"Yes, ma'am."

"Well, draw your stool up close to the fire and get warm," said her
mother. "Breakfast is 'tmost ready. You can have some of the pancakes
to carry to school for your dinner."

Comfort sat soberly in the chimney-corner until breakfast was ready,
as her mother bade her. She was very silent, and did not say anything
during breakfast unless some one asked her a question.

When she started for school her mother and grandmother stood in the
window and watched her.

It was a very cold morning, and Mrs. Pease had put her green shawl on
Comfort over her coat; and the little girl looked very short and
stout as she trudged along between the snow-ridges which bordered the