“How much did he give you, old stupid?” he screamed; “can’t you speak, or are you struck dumb?  Wake up!  I just wish I could reach you!  I’d shake you till your teeth rattled!”

His vicious looks were a sign, it was evident that he only lacked the strength to be as good as his word.  Ann roused herself from her stupour and spoke at last.

“I don’t know.  I’ll count it.”  She unrolled the bills and began.

“O Lord!” she exclaimed excitedly, “here’s ten-dollar bills!  One, two, three, and a twenty-that makes five—­and five are fifty-five—­six
ty—­seventy—­eighty—­eighty-five—­ninety—­one hundred—­and two and five are seven, and two and one are ten, twenty—­twenty-five—­one hundred and twenty-five!  Why, I’m rich!” she shouted.  “Bless the Lord!  Oh, this is the glorious Christmas Day!  I knew He’d provide.  Katey!  Katey!” she screamed at the door of the other room, where the child lay asleep.  “Merry Christmas to you, darlin’!  Now you can have some shoes! and a new dress! and—­and—­breakfast, and a regular Christmas dinner!  Oh!  I believe I shall go crazy!”

But she did not.  Joy seldom hurts people, and she was brought back to everyday affairs by the querulous voice of her husband.

“Now I will have my tea, an’ a new blanket, an’ some tobacco—­how I have wanted a pipe!” and he went on enumerating his wants while Ann bustled about, putting away most of her money, and once more getting ready to go out.

“I’ll run out and get some breakfast,” she said, “but don’t you tell a soul about the money.”

“No! they’ll rob us!” shrieked the old man.

“Nonsense!  I’ll hide it well, but I want to keep it a secret for another reason.  Mind, Katey, don’t you tell?”

“No!” said Katey, with wide eyes.  “But can I truly have a new frock, Mammy, and new shoes—­and is it really Christmas?”

“It’s really Christmas, darlin’,” said Ann, “and you’ll see what mammy’ll bring home to you, after breakfast.”

The luxurious meal of sausages, potatoes, and hot tea was soon smoking on the table, and was eagerly devoured by Katey and her father.  But Ann could not eat much.  She was absent-minded, and only drank a cup of tea.  As soon as breakfast was over, she left Katey to wash the dishes, and started out again.

She walked slowly down the street, revolving a great plan in her mind.

“Let me see,” she said to herself.  “They shall have a happy day for once.  I suppose John’ll grumble, but the Lord has sent me this money, and I mean to use part of it to make one good day for them.”

Having settled this in her mind, she walked on more quickly, and visited various shops in the neighbourhood.  When at last she went home, her big basket was stuffed as full as it could hold, and she carried a bundle besides.

“Here’s your tea, John,” she said cheerfully, as she unpacked the basket, “a whole pound of it, and sugar, and tobacco, and a new pipe.”