"'Usual fare,' said his mother; 'there ain't nothing but bread now-a-days, and not too much of that.' "An ominous silence brooded over the only half-satisfied children, and the mother rocked the baby to and fro with a look on her face which was both sad and hopeless. "'Why don't we have something nice, even if father's work is short? When it's plenty I should ha' thought we might ha' saved a bit,' grumbled the eldest. "'Save!' exclaimed the poor mother, 'why, if we've got it, you know ye eat it, and if we ain't got it, we go without.' "'Well, I don't like not having 'nuff to eat,' said the big boy vexedly. 'I brings home all I earns, and it ain't fair.' "'And how much have you earned _this_ week?' asked his mother crossly. "'Well, look at this weather, for yer,' answered he; 'how can us earn when no one won't build at any price?' "'Then shut up,' answered the tired mother, 'and wait for better times.' "She rose, and prepared to put the baby to bed. The eldest little girl washed up the few cups, while the boys began an undertoned game at tickling each other, which soon resulted in laughter and subdued noise. This brought down on them a sharp reprimand from their mother, and finally a box on the ears all round. "Somewhat quieted, but in no good humour, they retired into a corner, and proceeded to cut up some pieces of wood which their brother's trade supplied them with. They could muster but one knife between them, but a boy cautiously crept to the cupboard and abstracted one belonging to the housekeeping, the rest watching their mother's head lest she should discover the act of disobedience; for such it was in this little home, where a lost knife would be a serious misfortune. "At last the baby was carried upstairs for the night, and the mother descended with her hands free for the time. "'Off to bed you go,' she said to the next three, who were crowding over the little fire. "There was no objection for once, but just as the little girl of ten years old was taking the lamp to light them to bed a knock came at the door and startled them all. "The girl set down the light and opened the door. "'Why if it ain't Miss Agnes Headley;' said the mother. 'Come in, miss, do.' "'No thank you, I have only come to bring you a little present for Christmas, and I hope you will have a happy day,' said Miss Headley. "The big boy jumped up in a moment, and took it from her, with a 'thank ye, miss,' which meant a great deal; but Miss Headley did not wait, and they closed the door from the bitter wind, while all crowded round the table in anxious expectation. "At the top of the parcel was an immense Christmas pudding, of a size to satisfy the appetites of even that numerous party. On it was pinned a paper with these words written: 'This pudding is cooked, but must be boiled for an hour and a half to warm it through. The cloth is for you.' "A shout of pleasure was forced from the delighted family as they viewed their promised treat.