t was not offered to us, and of interrupting
grown-up people, or talking about ourselves. Why, papas and mammas
now-a-days seem quite proud to let their friends see how bold and
greedy and talkative their children can be! A lady said to me the
other day, 'You wouldn't believe, Mr. Garbel, how forward dear little
Harry is for his age. He has his word in everything, and is not a bit
shy! and his papa never comes home from town but Harry runs to ask him
if he's brought him a present. Papa says he'll be the ruin of him!'

"'Madam,' said I, 'even without your word for it, I am quite aware
that your child is forward. He is forward and greedy and intrusive, as
you justly point out, and I wish you joy of him when those qualities
are fully developed. I think his father's fears are well founded.'

"But, bless me! now-a-days it's 'Come and tell Mr. Smith what a fine
boy you are, and how many houses you can build with your bricks,' or,
'The dear child wants everything he sees,' or 'Little pet never lets
Mamma alone for a minute; does she, love?' But in my young days it
was, 'Self-praise is no recommendation' (as Kitty used to tell me),
or, 'You're knocking too hard at No. One' (as my father said when we
talked about ourselves), or, 'Little boys should be seen but not
heard' (as a rule of conduct 'in company'), or, 'Don't ask for what
you want, but take what's given you and be thankful.'

"And so you see, young people, Patty and I felt a delicacy in asking
Old Father Christmas about the tree. It was not till we had had tea
three times round, with tasters and wasters to match, that Patty said
very gently, 'It's quite dark now.' And then she heaved a deep sigh.

"Burning anxiety overcame me. I leant towards Father Christmas, and
shouted--I had found out that it was needful to shout--

"'I suppose the candles are on the tree now?'

"'Just about putting of 'em on,' said Father Christmas.

"'And the presents, too?' said Patty.

"'Aye, aye, _to_ be sure,' said Father Christmas, and he smiled
delightfully.

"I was thinking what farther questions I might venture upon, when he
pushed his cup towards Patty, saying, 'Since you are so pressing,
miss, I'll take another dish.'

"And Kitty, swooping on us from the oven, cried, 'Make yourself at
home, sir; there's more where these came from. Make a long arm, Miss
Patty, and hand them cakes.'

"So we had to devote ourselves to the duties of the table; and Patty,
holding the lid with one