e made nurse a kettleholder, and cook a
needlebook, and I've bought a penknife for Ford, and a thimble for
Sarah, and some handkerchiefs for Maxwell and Mrs. Maxwell, and some
woolen gloves for Tommy. And I've nothing--no nothing for Him. If I only
knew something He would like."

She paused, and a soft wistfulness came into her eyes.

"I was thinking," she went on, "that perhaps I could put my present for
Him outside the nursery window on the ledge. And then when we are all in
bed, and it is very quiet, I expect He might send an angel down to
bring it up to Him. I think He might do that, because He knows how much
I want to give Him something. But then I don't know what to give Him.
Could you tell me, uncle?"

"I think," said Sir Edward, gravely, "the only way you can give Him
a Christmas present is to give something to the poor. He would rather
have that. I will give you this to put in the plate to-morrow in
church."

And Sir Edward put his hand in his pocket, and rolled a coin across the
table to his little niece.

But Milly was not satisfied.

"This is your present," she said, doubtfully. "What will you give Him
this Christmas besides? Is money the only thing you can give Him,
uncle?"

Sir Edward pushed back his chair and rose from the table. His feelings
were almost getting beyond his control. With the one subject that was
now always foremost in his thoughts, the child's question rang again in
his ears, "Is money the only thing you can give Him, uncle?" And like a
flash of light came a reply:

"No, I can give myself back to Him, my soul and body, that have now
been so long in the keeping of His enemy."

After a few minutes' silence he said, in a strangely quiet voice:

"Come, little one, it is bedtime; say 'Good-night,' and run up to
nurse!"

Milly came up to him, and as he stood with his back to the fire warming
his hands, she took hold of the ends of his coat in her little hands,
and, looking up at him, said:

"Uncle Edward, you gave me a kiss like a father might have done this
afternoon. Would you mind very much giving me another?"

Sir Edward looked down at the sweet little face raised so coaxingly to
his, and then took her up in his arms; but after he had given her the
desired kiss he said, with some effort,--

"I want you to do something to-night, little one. When you say your
prayers, ask that one of God's prodigal sons may be brought back this
Christmas time. It is one who wants to return.