carried a ball of gray homespun yarn."

"Well," said Dan, yawning, "I like that kind of a story. Nobody
goes and dies in it, that's one good thing."

"Did old Hugh forgive Ursula?" I asked.

"The story stopped there in the brown book," said the Story Girl,
"but the Awkward Man says he did, after awhile."

"It must be rather romantic to be run away with," remarked Cecily,
wistfully.

"Don't you get such silly notions in your head, Cecily King," said
Felicity, severely.



CHAPTER III

THE CHRISTMAS HARP


Great was the excitement in the houses of King as Christmas drew
nigh. The air was simply charged with secrets. Everybody was
very penurious for weeks beforehand and hoards were counted
scrutinizingly every day. Mysterious pieces of handiwork were
smuggled in and out of sight, and whispered consultations were
held, about which nobody thought of being jealous, as might have
happened at any other time. Felicity was in her element, for she