s he could, then went to his seat. But it was very
little that he heard of the address that evening, for his head was so full
of the visit that was to be paid that he couldn't take in anything else.

Directly the meeting was over he flew off as fast as his legs could carry
him.

"Willie, Willie!" he burst out, as soon as he got into the room.
"Guess wot I've got to tell yer!

"Can't," said Willie. "Do tell me, Bob."

"Some one's comin' to see yer to-morrer."

"To see me!" repeated Willie. "Who, Bob?"

"Who should it be," said Bob, "but yer lady!"

"Truth, Bob? Do yer mean it?" for it seemed almost too good to be true.
"My pretty lady!"

"Yes," said Bob. "Ain't it prime? I know'd yer'd be glad."

Mrs. Blair was almost as excited as the children themselves, at the idea of
the visitor, and she declared she would have to be up an hour earlier, in
order to be ready for the lady.

The next morning Willie very much wanted his brother to stay at home with
him to see the lady, but Bob knew he must not do that.

"It won't do to lose a day now, Willie," he said. "I must go an' earn some
money, else wot'll we do?" And with a brave face he shouldered his broom
and marched off.

True to her promise, Miss Elton found her way that morning to Mrs. Blair's.
She had some difficulty in following Bob's directions, for they were not
very clear. But she arrived there at lasts and found Willie eagerly
watching for her at the window.

"Why, Willie, my little man," she said, "you didn't come to see me last
night."

"No," said Willie, with glistening eyes. "I 'ain't been well; but---but,"
hesitatingly, "I'm glad you've come to see me."

[Miss Elton sat down, and drew the boy to her side.] She thought what a
frail little fellow he looked, with his flushed cheeks and shining eyes.
She talked to him for some time about himself and his brother, and then she
said---"Now, Willie, I want you to make haste and get well.
Do you know why?"

Willie shook his head.

"Well," she said, "Christmas will be here in two weeks' time.
Do you know what Christmas is?"

"No," said Willie, "I 'ain't ever see'd one."

Miss Elton smiled.

"You know who Jesus is?" she asked.

"Yes" said Willie. "We talks to 'im every mornin' an' night,
Bob an' me; an' we're tryin' to be good."

"That's right," said Miss Elton. "Well, Jesus used to live down here on
the earth once, and we called the day He came Christmas Day. So Christmas
Day was