“Ah, ah!  William Raymond, is that you?” said she; “come in and tell us why you have stayed away so long.”

This was soon explained, and the treasures exhibited.  The miniature Christmas tree was lighted up, and made to stand, by some process of childish ingenuity, on the table; the shoes which William had made out of Jem Taylor’s “upper leather” were displayed, and, on being tried on, were found to fit; and, last of all, the treasures of the basket were spread forth.  It was long since such a meal had been eaten in that lowly room, or since its inmates had been so cheerful; and, dear reader, what was the cost of the whole?  Happiness can be bestowed at small expense, and there are none so poor that they cannot give it.  True charity, which some call “the first-born of religion,” makes others’ wants their own, and—­

                             “Amid life’s quests
  There seems that worthiest one, to do men good.”

The old grandmother looked with great interest on the sports of the children, and joined in the praises Ned bestowed on his semi-new shoes.  It seemed surprising to the latter that his friend Bill could accomplish a task so wonderful as to make a pair of shoes; and while he danced round the room in perfect delight, he begged his grandmother to put him at once to a shoemaker, so that he, too, might do men’s work.

William stood by the bedside of the aged invalid, and watched her faded lips as they moved in grateful prayer.  His whole soul, filled with the secret pleasure of a generous act, was yet more moved by the blessings invoked on him by one so old, and, there was no doubt, truly sincere.  It seemed as if nothing could increase his present happiness.

“Where did you get all these nice things?” asked the old woman; “this is an unexpected feast for me.”

William, taking no more credit than truth demanded, explained how he had proceeded,—­some, the smallest portion, was purchased, the other was from the kindness of others.

“Say rather the kindness of Providence,” replied the old woman.  “The One who provides for the sparrow put it into their hearts, so let us thank him first of all; and for you, my good boy, may the blessing of God, which alone maketh rich and addeth no sorrow, rest upon you for ever.”

There is a world of meaning in that simple petition; and if the prayer of the righteous will from the lowliest hovel climb to heaven’s height and bring a blessing down, he was certain to receive in answer a greater and more precious treasure than the gold of Ophir.

Greatly did our little shoemaker enjoy his childish liberty on this evening, which passed away too rapidly for him.  All enjoyment must have an end, and although by no means wearied of it, he was at once ready to go home when Mrs. Graham reminded him of the hour.  He ran off at full speed, trusting to be at home before the usual time for shutting up the house, and had proceeded more than half way, when the city clocks striking ten changed his late happy mood to one of apprehension.  Mr. Walters, he knew, would not wait a moment, even on Christmas eve, for anybody, and he trembled at the thought of what the morning might bring.