what a pretty
present cousin John sent me!" and Alice held up a new pocket-book.

"That is very nice, Alice," said Mrs. Reed; "now if you had some one to
fill it with money, it would be better still."

"Yes, indeed," cried Alice, laughingly; "but as I was not so fortunate
as to receive any money, and have none of my own to put in it, the
pocket-book is not likely to be worn out for a long time."

"Well, well, Alice," replied Mrs. Reed, "it is always handy to have
things in the house; for some time they may be needed.

"Excuse me a moment, Alice," continued Mrs. Reed; "sit down here by the
fire and warm yourself."

Alice took a seat by the fire and warmed her fingers; for, although it
was a bright sunshiny day, it was very cold.

Mrs. Reed stepped into the adjoining room, and with a light heart and
an expression on her face that no one had seen for many a day, took up
the little work-box she had prepared for Alice.

Returning again to the sitting-room with the box in her hand, she
approached Alice and said;

"Here, my dear, is a little Christmas present I have for you. I
sincerely wish it were something better. It will be useful, I know, and
I hope it will please you."

"O how beautiful!" exclaimed Alice, as she caught sight of the curious
carvings on the outside of the box. "And a work-box, too!" she
continued, as she took it in her hands and lifted the cover; "is it
really for me?"

"For no one else, I assure you," replied Mrs. Reed, as her face lighted
up with joy, at seeing Alice so happy.

"O how can I ever thank you enough!" exclaimed Alice, as she threw her
arms around Mrs. Reed's neck and kissed her again and again.

Then taking a seat by Mrs. Reed, Alice began to examine the contents of
the new work-box, lifting out the articles one by one, and placing them
in her lap.

She then admired the beautiful lining which. Mrs. Reed had put in the
box, asking her where she got such pretty pieces of silk.

"That piece of silk at the top, Alice, is a bit of my wedding-dress; and
that on the sides, is a part of my wedding-sash. Those remind me of
happy days, Alice.

"I had plenty then: a good husband, a happy home, and never thought that
I should come to poverty."

"What is this from?" asked Alice, touching the silk lining at the
bottom of the box.

"O that was always in the box, Alice. It was there when my husband
received it, and must be a piece of India silk.

"Is any thing the matter with it?" co