Once again she would be the
happiest of the happy.

"Oh, yes, I love him!" she murmured to herself. "I love him better
every day, every hour, every minute; he is all the world to me. I
think of him all day long, and dream of him all through the night. I
could be good for him. If he is strong enough and great enough to get
over the fact of my being accused of theft, why, I'll take him; yes,
I'll take him. It will make Grannie happy too. Poor old Grannie! she
don't look too well the last day or two. It is wonderful, but I think
she is fretting sore about that feather-stitching. Poor dear! she
thinks more of that feather-stitching than of most anything else in the
world; but, Lor' bless her, they'll soon be putting something else in
its place in the West End shops. The feather-stitching will be
old-fashioned beside the embroidery. Poor old Grannie, it is hard on
her!"

By this time the tea hour had arrived. Alison took her dress into her
little bedroom, laid it on the bed, and came back to help to get ready
the family meal. David and Harry both came noisily upstairs to partake
of it. They were going out immediately afterward to the boys' club,
and told Grannie that they would not be back to supper.

"There are going to be real high jinks at the club to-night," said
Harry; "a magic lantern and a conjurer, and afterward we are to play
leapfrog and billiards, and end up with a boxing match. That swell,
Mr. Rolfe, is the right sort. Anyone would think that he had known
boys from this part of the world all his days."

"Boys is boys all the world over," said Grannie; "be they rich or poor,
high or low, they are just the same--mischeevous, restless young
wagabones. Now then, Harry, for goodness gracious, don't spill your
tea on the cloth. My word! wot a worry you all are."

"You know you don't think so, Grannie," said the audacious boy. His
black eyes laughed into her blue ones; she gave him a smile into which
she threw her whole brave heart. He remembered that smile in the dark
days which were to follow.

Tea was over, and presently Alison went into her room to dress. She
did not intend putting in an appearance at the Clays' before nine
o'clock, and she told Grannie not to sit up for her. Of course Jim
would see her home. It occurred to her, and her heart beat faster at
the thought, that she might be able to give Jim his final answer on her
way home; if so, what a glorious Christmas present would be