Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/190



HEN the children stole back again into the hut after October had gone, Grandfather was still asleep. But before long he roused himself suddenly, rubbed his eyes, and stared at them in a strange, bewildered way.

"Where is Carl?" he said. "Has he hidden himself to plague me? I know he loves to tease, but this is too bad."

"Grandfather," said Thekla, gently, "you are not quite waked up yet. It was only a dream! There is nobody here but Max and me."

The old man looked wildly at her for a moment. Then he came to himself, smiled, and stroked her hair. "So," he said, "only Max and