The Second Chance

a song somew

r a somethin

the lark when th

he thrush when th

Whitco

ittle town of Millford, where he and his wife and family of nine were working out their own destiny. Mrs. Watson up to this time had spent very few of the daylight hours at home, having a regular itinerary among some o

y it would convince the most sceptical of the existence of good working fairies. A lett

d Bank of England notes, acquired a reality they had never enjoyed before. The young chore boy who was working for five dollars a month at George Steadman's never knew why Mrs. Steadman suddenly let him have the second helping of butter and also sugar in his tea. Neither did he understand why she gave him an onion poultice for his aching ear

ade the porridge and set the table for breakfast, and then roused all the family except Danny,

nd all, and get them fixed up to go to Sunday-school and church twice a day. Ye'll have to learn what ye can while the clothes last. Mary'll have a new fur collar, and Ma'll have the fur-lined cape; and yer old coat, Ma, can be cut down for me. Camilla'll help us to buy what we need, and now, Ma, let's get them ready for school. Money's no good to us if we hav

ut Pearlie beguiled him into good-humour by telling him that when he grew to be a man he would keep a big jewellery store, and in prepar

rn, and it's all good. Get as much as ye can every day. I'm goin' myself, you bet, when I get things fixed up, an

ily, they received the best of attention from the obliging clerks. Mr. Mason, the

serge with a white belt with two gold bears on it was chosen for Danny, and gray Norfolk jacket suits for Tommy and Patsey-just alike, because Pearl said everybody knew they were twins, and there was no use denying it now. A green and black plaid was bought to make Mary a new Sunday dress, and a re

down and try to coax back again after you wake from it. She could not keep

usy helping on the good work. Mr. Mason had no fur-lined capes in stock, but he would send for one, he said, and

of good clothes ther

you going to ha

k did not wear well, and was a material for rich people only, but that did not prevent the dream fr

Camilla asked. "Isn't it a wine-coloured silk

and overcoats sent on approval. There were yards and yards of flannelette bought to be made into various garments. Pearl was

up on the dray wagon, and it was a proud moment for her when she saw

on till Sunday morning, that is the Sunday things, and ye can't put on any of them till, to-morrow morning, when ye'll be as clean as hot water and bar so

t. Tommy was rubbing his chin on his new coat to see how it felt. Patsey was hunting for pockets in his, when some one discovered that Bugsey was in tears, idle,

ntly. "L'ave him alone, Ma; I know how he feels! He's enj

er, there came a knock at the door, and a long pasteboard box, neatly tied with wine-coloured ribbon, was handed in. On its u

ment r

aid. "Don't stand there gawkin' at it

n in her dreams. There were yards of silk braid and of cream net. There were sparkling buttons and spools of thread, and a "neck" of cream filling with silver spangles on it, and

rs. Watson exclaimed.

I'm feart o' spottin' some of these, I'd be for doin' a cry myself. I've got such a glad spot here in me Adam's apple. Reach me yer apron, Ma-it's comin' out of me eyes in spite of mes

the kind heart beats behind a homely face." Which is true enough in experience

l girl in her nightgown went quietly across the bare floor to the lounge in the "room" to feel once more the smooth surface of her slippers and to smell that delicious leathery smell. She was tempted to take one o

ed with the desire to help, and came over hurriedly to show Mrs. Watson how to put a French hem on her new napery. But as the only napery, visible or invisible, was a marbled oilcloth tacked on the table, Mrs. Francis w

for Pearl was determined that the good clothes

ht over a real winter hat in good repair, which Mrs. Ducker had given her. Mrs. Ducker said it was really too good a hat to give away, but she could not wear it with any comfort now, for Mrs. Grieves had one

also for the boys to see themselves in the long mirror in the hall. Danny sidled up to M

y at a large brown freckle on his cheek. He came out to Camilla and asked her for a sharp knife, and it was with difficulty that he was dissuaded from h

hurch Pearlie gave them

p in yer handkerchiefs, and don't chew the knot. Keep yer eye on the minister

e whole flock march past him. There was one row full and four in the row behind. Pear

en Danny stayed awake to listen, and when it came to an end and Mr. Burrell told of the wicked Haman being hanged on the scaffold of his own making, Patsey whispered to Bugsey in a loud "pig whisper:" "That's when he go

is father's new cap came in. Bugsey was the gentle Esther who came in trembling to see if she would suit his Majesty. The handle of a dismembered pa

,' 'button, button, who's got the button?' are all right for kids that don't have to rise in the world, but with you lads it's dif