"You can find lots of beautiful Christmas greens out there," he exclaimed,pointing to the door; "perhaps your folks would like to have some."

"0h, thank you, sir," exclaimed. Elsie, rapturously. "0h, Tottie, onlythink! Let's gather a good lot and go home and dress our room forChristmas. 0h, _won't_ mother be astonished when she comes home, we'llmake it so pretty!"

And forthwith the kidren began gathering into their little apronswreaths of ground-pine, sprigs of holly, and twigs of crimson bitter-sweet. The sexton, seeing their zeal, brought out to them a little cross,fancifully made of black alder-berries and pine.