That 'ud gimme time to git home an' git breakfast, an' be down to
the fact'ry by seven."

"But, Jimmy boy," cried his mother, her voice quivering with
anxiety, "you never could stan' it night an' day too! No, I'll
watch the wagon; I'll--"

A knock on the parlor door interrupted her. she hastily dried her
eyes and smoothed her hair. Jim went to the door.

"I've a Christmas basket for you!" cried a cheery voice.

"Is this Christmas?" Jim asked dully.

The girl in the doorway laughed. She was tall and slender, but Jim
could only see a pair of sparkling eyes between the brim of the hat
and her high fur collar. It was nice to hear her laugh, though; it
made things seem warmer somehow. The colored man behind her
deposited a large basket on the doorstep.

"It's from the church," she explained; "a crowd of us are out in
the omnibus distributing baskets."

"Well, how'd you ever happen to come here?" cried Mrs. Wiggs, who
had come to the door.

"There is one for each of the mission-school families; just a little
Christmas greeting, you know."

Mrs. Wiggs's spirits were rising every minute. "Well, that certainly