"No," said Willie, with glistening eyes. "I 'ain't been well; but---but," hesitatingly, "I'm glad you've come to see me." [Miss Elton sat down, and drew the boy to her side.] She thought what a frail little fellow he looked, with his flushed cheeks and shining eyes. She talked to him for some time about himself and his brother, and then she said---"Now, Willie, I want you to make haste and get well. Do you know why?" Willie shook his head. "Well," she said, "Christmas will be here in two weeks' time. Do you know what Christmas is?" "No," said Willie, "I 'ain't ever see'd one." Miss Elton smiled. "You know who Jesus is?" she asked. "Yes" said Willie. "We talks to 'im every mornin' an' night, Bob an' me; an' we're tryin' to be good." "That's right," said Miss Elton. "Well, Jesus used to live down here on the earth once, and we called the day He came Christmas Day. So Christmas Day was His birthday. You know how He loves little children, and wants them to be happy, and we want to make them happy too. So what do you think we are going to do?" "Dunno," said Willie. "We are going to give the children a treat at the mission-room. We want you all to come and have tea there, and some nice games afterwards; but I'm not going to tell you everything, because I want to surprise you. That is why I want you to get well." "Can Bob come too?" he asked. "Of course; we must have Bob," she answered. "We couldn't get on without him." For Some moments Willie stood looking at her as though he wanted to say something. Miss Elton waited for him to speak. At last she said gently: "Well, dear, what is it? "I wish----" he hesitated. "I wish you'd _sing_." "Would you like me to?" she asked, smiling. "What shall I sing?" "'Bout 'Suffer little children.'" During the singing Mrs. Blair came into the room. Miss Elton spoke to her very kindly for minutes, and asked some questions about Willie, thanking her for what she had done for the children. "Lor', ma'am," she said, "who could help it; such children as they are? It's wonderful the way that boy looks after the little chap; and as for the little one, why, with his angel-face and pretty ways he'd get round the hardest woman." "It's very good of you, Mrs. Blair, and God will give you your reward, you may be sure. Will you take this," slipping some money into her hand, "and get Willie some food? He wants nourishment, poor little fellow! I must come and see him again. I want him to be well enough to come to the treat we are giving to the children at the mission-room. Perhaps you would come up in the evening, and see them at play?" "Thank you kindly, ma'am," she replied. "I'd be glad to come." Before Miss Elton left she made Willie very happy giving him a book of coloured pictures, telling him it was to keep him from being lonely while Bob was at work. CHAPTER V THE CHRISTMAS TREAT