His birthday. You know how He loves little children, and wants
them to be happy, and we want to make them happy too. So what do you think
we are going to do?"

"Dunno," said Willie.

"We are going to give the children a treat at the mission-room.
We want you all to come and have tea there, and some nice games afterwards;
but I'm not going to tell you everything, because I want to surprise you.
That is why I want you to get well."

"Can Bob come too?" he asked.

"Of course; we must have Bob," she answered. "We couldn't get on without
him."

For Some moments Willie stood looking at her as though he wanted to say
something. Miss Elton waited for him to speak. At last she said gently:
"Well, dear, what is it?

"I wish----" he hesitated. "I wish you'd _sing_."

"Would you like me to?" she asked, smiling. "What shall I sing?"

"'Bout 'Suffer little children.'"

During the singing Mrs. Blair came into the room. Miss Elton spoke to her
very kindly for minutes, and asked some questions about Willie, thanking
her for what she had done for the children.

"Lor', ma'am," she said, "who could help it; such children as they are?
It's wonderful the way that boy looks after the little chap; and as for the
little one, why, with his angel-face and pretty ways he'd get round the
hardest woman."

"It's very good of you, Mrs. Blair, and God will give you your reward,
you may be sure. Will you take this," slipping some money into her hand,
"and get Willie some food? He wants nourishment, poor little fellow!
I must come and see him again. I want him to be well enough to come to the
treat we are giving to the children at the mission-room. Perhaps you would
come up in the evening, and see them at play?"

"Thank you kindly, ma'am," she replied. "I'd be glad to come."

Before Miss Elton left she made Willie very happy giving him a book of
coloured pictures, telling him it was to keep him from being lonely while
Bob was at work.

CHAPTER V

THE CHRISTMAS TREAT

After Miss Elton's visit Willie found plenty to amuse himself with that
day, and he was very anxious for Bob to come home that he might tell him
the news. Mrs. Blair went out and bought some meat and other things with
the money the lady had given her, and the little fellow feasted like a
king. Some of the good things he insisted on saving for Bob, and it was in
a state of high glee that he watched his brother eating his supper that
night. The picture