ted up to eighty. Then after, snap-dragon, whereat was much
mirth; and singing of _Christmas_ carols, and games with the childre.
And all away looking mighty pleased.

Daft _Madge_ would know of me if the angels lived o' plum-porridge. I
told her I thought not so.

"It is like to be somewhat rare good," quoth she. "The Lord's so rich,
look you,--main richer nor Sir _Aubrey_. If t' servant gives poor folk
plum-porridge, what'll t' Master give?"

_Father_ answered her, for he was close by--

"`Fat things full of marrow, wines on the lees well refined.'"

"Eh, that sounds good!" saith she, a-licking of her lips. "And that's
for t' hungry folk, Master?"

"It is only for hungry folk," saith he. "'Tis not thrown away on the
full ones. `Whosoever will, take,' saith the Lord, who gives the
feast."

"Eh, then I shall get some!" saith she, a-laughing all o'er her face, as
she doth when she is pleased at aught. "You'll be sure and let me know
when 'tis, Master? I'll come, if 'tis snow up to t' knees all t' way."

"The Lord will be sure and let thee know, _Madge_, when 'tis ready,"
saith _Father_; for he hath oft said that little as poor _Madge_ can
conceive, he is assured she is one of God's childre.

"Oh, if 'tis _Him_ to let me know, 't'll be all right," saith _Madge_,
smiling and drawing of her cloak around her. "He'll not forget
_Madge_--not He. He come down o' purpose to die for _me_, you know."

_Father_ saith, as _Madge_ trudged away in her clogs after old _Madge_,
her grandmother--

"Ah, rich _Madge_--not poor! May-be thine shall be the most abundant
entrance of any in this chamber."

I am at the end of my month, and as to-morrow I hand the book to
_Helen_. But I dare not count up my two-pences, for I am feared they be
so many.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Complexion, at this date, signified temperament, not colour.
The Middle Age physicians divided the complexions of mankind into four--
the lymphatic, the sanguine, the nervous, and the bilious: and their
treatment was always grounded on these considerations. Colour of skin,
hair, and eyes, being considered symptomatic of complexion, the word was
readily transferred from one to the other.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

AUNT JOYCE TACKLES A GHOST.

"'Twas but one little drop of sin
We saw this morning enter in,
And lo! at eventide the world is drowned."

Keble.

(_In Helen's handwri