Page:Helen Leah Reed - Napoleons young neighbour.djvu/121



EW Year's Day was approaching, the day which French people love to celebrate by making gifts to their friends and paying compliments.

On this first New Year's morning of Napoleon's exile on St. Helena, Betsy, looking from her window, saw young Tristram Montholon and Henri Bertrand approaching.

"Look, Jane," she cried excitedly, "they are carrying something; do you suppose—"

But without finishing her question or waiting for Jane to answer, Betsy had taken the shortest way to gratify her curiosity by running to greet the boys. Immediately the two little fellows saluted her with New Year wishes and before she could ask a question had presented each sister—for Jane had followed her—with a beautiful crystal basket.

"Something Piron made for you," the boys