e stitch," she said to her granddaughter.
There was a faint shadow of reproach in her tone. "I can't show it to
you now; but ef you had only learned it."

"But I do know it," said Alison, in distress.

"Not proper, dear; not as it should be done. I fear that I can never
show you now."

"And that is why you want me to marry Jim?" said Alison. "I wonder at
you, Grannie--you who have such pride!"

"There are times and seasons," said Grannie, "when pride must give way,
and it seems to me that we have come to this pass. I looked at Jim
when he was talking to-day, and I saw clear--clear as if in a
vision--that he would never cast up to you those words that you dread.
If you are never cleared of that theft, Alison, Jim will never call his
wife a thief. Jim is good to the heart's core, and he is powerful
rich, and ef you don't marry him, my gel, you'll soon be starving, for
I can't do the feather-stitching. I can't honestly do the work. I'll
go and see the manager to-morrow morning; but it's all up with me,
child. You ought to marry Jim, dear, and you ought to provide a home
for the two little ones--for Polly and little Kitty."

"And what's to become of you, Grannie, and Dave, and Harry, and Annie?"

"Maybe Jim would take Annie too, now that he is so rich."

"Do you think it would be right to ask him?"

"No, I don't; no, I don't. Well, anyhow, it is good to have half the
fam'ly put straight. You will think of it, Ally, you will think of it;
you've got a whole week to think of it in."

"I will think of it," said Alison, in a grave voice.

She got up presently; she was feeling very restless and excited.

"I think I'll go out for a bit," she said.

"Do, child, do; it will bring a bit of color into your cheeks."

"Is there anything I can get for you, Grannie--anything for Christmas?
You said we were to be happy till after Christmas."

"So we will; I have made up my mind firm on that p'int. We'll have a
right good Christmas. There's three pounds in my purse. We'll spend
five shillings for Christmas Day. That ought to give us a powerful lot
o' good food. Oh, yes, we'll manage for Christmas."

"This is Tuesday," said Alison, "and Christmas Day comes Friday. Shall
I get any of the things to-night, Grannie?"

Grannie looked up at the tall girl who stood by her side. She saw the
restless, agitated expression on the young face.

"She'll like to have the feel of money in her hands again," thought the
li