Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. [Illustration "'A BROTHER'S CHRISTMAS-BOX.'"] ARTHUR GLYN AND OTHER STORIES BY RUTH LAMB AUTHOR OF "DEAR MISS MEG," "A WILFUL WARD," "HER OWN CHOICE," "ONLY A GIRL WIFE," ETC. LONDON THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY 4 BOUVERIE STREET, AND 65 ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD CONTENTS. ARTHUR GLYN'S CHRISTMAS-BOX CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. SIX MILESTONES: A CHRISTMAS MEMORY CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. FINISHED AT CHRISTMAS. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. A CUCKOO IN THE NEST. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. HER MAJESTY'S MAIL-BAGS CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. ONLY A SERVANT CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. [Illustration: ARTHUR DREAMING.] ARTHUR GLYN'S CHRISTMAS-BOX. CHAPTER I. NOT a bit like Christmas. Everybody said so to everybody else, and surely, what all agree about must be strictly true. The farmers' wives said it to each other, as they jogged to market with well-filled baskets, containing all sorts of home-fed Christmas cheer. The butcher said it to each customer in turn, as he lightly passed his keen-edged knife outside the yellow rind of his prime Christmas beef, to suggest where the actual incision should be made and the "cut" severed from the rest. The grocer said it, as he handed over the parcels, so much larger than usual, because of the ingredients required for mince pies, spice bread, and plum pudding. The postman said it, as the wet dripped off his waterproof cape, and he handed letters with moist envelopes to outstretched hands, the owners of which kept well under cover, instead of presenting a smiling face and offering a pleasant greeting to Her Majesty's messenger.