enly, she again exclaimed to
herself:

"I do really believe that if I go up into the garret, I can find,
something for a Christmas present, that will please Alice.

"I remember a curious old box that Mr. Reed had, that was sent to him
from India. If I can find some bits of ribbon, and silk, I will line it
and make it into a nice little work-box for Alice."

Then Mrs. Reed climbed up the narrow stairway into the garret, and,
after searching some time among the rubbish that lay around in all the
nooks and corners, discovered the box.

Taking it down-stairs and finding some pieces of silk, she spent the
rest of the day in making it into a work-box.

She made a pretty needle-book, a tiny pincushion, and an emery bag like
a big strawberry. Then from her own scanty stock she added needles,
pins, thread, and her only pair of small scissors, scoured to the last
extreme of brightness.

One thing only she had to buy--a thimble; and that she bought for a
penny. The thimble was of brass and so bright that it was quite as
handsome as gold.

When full, the little box was very pretty. In the bottom lay a quilted
lining, which had always been there, and upon which she had placed the
fittings.

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--The conversational parts of this lesson may
be read as a dialogue by two pupils.

Which is the most _emphatic word_ in the following sentence?

"O dear, dear! Why was I left so poor!"

Point out the _emphatic words_ in the third paragraph of the lesson.

* * * * *

LESSON XXVII.

hand'y, _convenient; ready for use_.

ad join'ing, _next to; neighboring_.

sin cere'ly, _honestly; truly_.

fort'u nate, _favored; lucky_.

act'u al ly, _really; truly_.

suf fi'cient, _enough; plenty_.

carv'ings, _figures cut in wood or stone_.

mys'ter y, _something entirely unknown_.

thresh'old, _a piece of board which lies under a door_.

tile, _a thin piece of baked clay_.

ex am'ine, _look at with care_.

* * * * *

THE HIDDEN TREASURE.

PART II.

Christmas morning came, and soon Alice Brown entered Mrs. Reed's cottage
and received a warm welcome.

"Merry Christmas! Mrs. Reed," said Alice.

"Thank you, my dear," replied Mrs. Reed; "it will indeed be a 'Merry
Christmas' if you can remain with me this forenoon."

"Well, I can stay till dinner-time," said Alice. "See