hich deluge of
information Lucy had listened with outward calmness and inward
thrills.

To-day, as she entered the Wiggses' gate a shout greeted her. Billy
let himself down from the chicken-coop roof, and ran forward.

"Them Roman candles wasn't no good!" he cried. "One of 'em busted
too soon, and 'most blowed my hand off."

"Oh, no, it didn't, Miss Lucy!" said Mrs. Wiggs, who had hastened
out to meet her. "Them Roman candons was fine. Billy's hand wasn't
so bad hurt he couldn't shoot his gum-bow shooter and break Miss
Krasmier's winder-pane. I'll be glad when to-morrow comes, an' he
goes back to the office! Come right in," she continued. "Asia, dust
off a cheer fer Miss Lucy. That's right; now, lemme help you off
with yer things."

"Lemme hold the muff!" cried Australia.

"No, me--me!" shrieked Europena.

A center rush ensued, during which the muff was threatened with
immediate annihilation. The umpire interfered.

"Australia Wiggs, you go set in the corner with yer face to the
wall. Europena, come here!" She lifted the wailing little girl to
her lap, and looked her sternly in the eye. "If you don't hush this
minute, I'll spank your doll!"

The awful threat was sufficient. Mrs. Wiggs had long ago discovered
the most effectual way of punishing Europena.

When peace was restored, Lucy looked about her. In each window was a
piece of holly tied with a bit of red calico, and on the partly
cleared table she saw the remains of a real Christmas dinner.

"We had a grand dinner to-day," said Mrs. Wiggs, following her
glance. "Mr. Bob sent the turkey; we et all we wanted, an' got
'nough left fer the rest of the week, countin' hash an' soup an'
all. Asia says she's goin' to hide it, so as I can't give no more
away. By the way, do you notice what Asia's doin'?"

Lucy went to the window, where Asia was busily working. This
taciturn little girl, with her old, solemn face and clever fingers,
was her favorite of the children.

"What are you making?" she asked, as the child dipped a brush into
one of three cans which stood before her.

"She's paintin' a picture," announced Mrs. Wiggs, proudly. "Looked
like she was jes' crazy 'bout picture painting, an' I said, 'Well,
Asia, if you have made up yer mind to be a artist, guess you'll
have to be one.' Seems like when folks kin do pianner playin' an'
picture paintin' it ain't right to let 'em wash dishes an' clean up
all the time. So I went to a store an' ast fer some paint