."

It was easy enough, Patty thought, for Muriel to suggest shilling toys
in such an airy manner, but quite an impossibility to provide them for
seven brothers and sisters when her small green purse only contained a
half-crown and a new sixpence. Her gifts would have to be very modest
ones, and it would take much ingenuity to make her money last out. Emma,
her aunt's maid, came to the rescue by hunting out a large bag of
coloured wools and helping her to make a ball for the baby. This Patty
knew would delight him, and would leave her a little extra to spend upon
the others. On the day before Christmas Eve, Mrs. Pearson took Muriel
and Patty to town with her, and after visiting several places, the
carriage finally drew up at Archer's, a large general store where toys
and all kinds of fancy articles were sold. The shop was so crowded that
it was quite difficult to obtain attention from the overworked
assistants, and Mrs. Pearson was obliged to wait some time before making
her purchases. It had been a busy morning for her; she was not strong,
and by the time she had bought what she needed, she was thoroughly
tired.

"You children must be quick, if there is anything you want," she said,
consulting her watch. "I particularly wish to be home by half-past
twelve, so I can only allow you ten minutes for your shopping. Where
shall we go first?"

"To the book department," said Muriel promptly. "You know I haven't
spent the present Aunt Ida sent me yet, and I want to choose something
nice."

"Wouldn't it do another day, dear?" suggested her mother.

"No, I'd like to buy it now, and then I can have it to read on Christmas
Day. Do come, Mother!"

The book department was upstairs, and proved as crowded as the floor
below. After some difficulty they managed to find a place at the
counter, and Muriel was soon occupied in turning over the pages of
various fascinating stories, hesitating so long over her choice that the
ten minutes soon lengthened out into a quarter of an hour.

"Do be quick, Muriel!" Patty ventured to whisper. "Aunt Lucy wants to go
home, and I haven't bought one of my presents yet!"

"Oh, bother!" replied Muriel. "Do you think you'd have this historical
tale, or this school story, if you were choosing?"

"The school one," said Patty, "though either looks nice. Here's the
assistant. If you buy it now, perhaps Aunt Lucy would take me to the toy
department for just five minutes."

"I can't make up my mind ye