Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/233

 before had so moved her Father, that he took courage to declare that Puss must be restored to her former privileges. Warm corner, dainty mess, and the protecting arms of her little mistress became hers again, and are hers to this day.

"And that was St. Nicholas's Christmas present to the Cat.

"Well," said December, rolling up the paper, "how do you like my story?"

"So much! oh, so much!" the children cried. "It was almost the nicest of all."

"As for my present," he went on, "I am not going to give you that just now. It shall come on the Christmas-tree. And mind you look bright, and greet the Christ-child with a smile, or he will be grieved, and go away sorrowful."

"I don't believe we shall have any tree this year," said Thekla, sadly. "There isn't any thing to put on it. And beside"—but her