the tearful face, kiss the tears away, and, in
short, take the fortress by storm. But Grannie's presence prevented
this, and Alison would not once look up. The old woman gave him an
intelligent and hopeful glance, and he was obliged to be content with
it and hurry off.

"I'll come again next Tuesday to get my answer," he said.

Alison murmured something which he did not hear. The next instant he
had left the room.

The moment his footsteps had died away Alison raised her tearful face.

"You had no right to do it, Grannie," she said. "It was sort of
encouraging him."

"Dry your tears now, child," said Mrs. Reed. "We'll talk of this later
on."

"You said yourself I'd have no proper pride to marry Jim at present,"
continued the girl.

"We'll talk of this later on," said Grannie; "the children will be home
in a minute to tea. After tea you and me will talk it over while they
are learning their lessons."

Grannie could be very immovable and determined when she liked. Having
lived with her all her life, Alison knew her every mood. She perceived
now, by her tightly shut up lips, and the little compression, which was
scarcely a frown, between her brows, that she could get nothing more
out of her at present.

She prepared the tea, therefore; and when the children came in she cut
bread and margerine for them, for butter had long ago ceased to appear
on Grannie's board.

After tea the children went into Grannie's bedroom to learn their
lessons, and the old woman and the young found themselves alone. The
lamp was lit, and the little room looked very cheerful; it was warm and
snug. Grannie sat with her hands before her.

"I thought I wouldn't tell you, but I must," she said. "It's a month
to-day, aint it, Ally, since you lost your place?"

"Yes, a month exactly," replied Alison. "It is close on Christmas now,
Grannie."

"Aye," said the old woman, "aye, and Christmas is a blessed, cheerful
time. This is Tuesday; Friday will be Christmas Day. We must have a
nice Christmas for the children, and we will too. We'll all be
cheerful on Christmas Day. Jim might as well come, whatever answer you
give him next week. He's all alone, poor lad, and he might come and
join our Christmas dinner."

"But we haven't much money," said Alison. "We miss what I earned at
the shop, don't we?"

"We miss it," said Grannie, "yes."

She shut up her lips very tightly. At this moment quick footsteps were
heard running up