The SNOW-CHILD (16)

The SNOW-CHILD (16)

" Come, you odd little thing ! " cried the children's father, seizing her by the hand, and with a smile, he led the snow-child towards the house.

As she followed him, all the glow and sparkle went out of her figure and she looked as dull and drooping as a thaw.

Violet and Peony, their eyes full of tears, entranced him not to bring their snow-sister into the house.

" Not bring her in ! " exclaimed the kind-hearted man.
" Why she is so cold, already, that her hand has almost frozen mine, in spite of my thick gloves. Would you have her freeze to death ? "

The little white figure was led ー drooping more and more ー out of the frosty air, and into the comfortable parlour.

A stove, filled to the brim with intensely burning coal, was sending a bright gleam through the glassof its iron door.

The parlour was hung with red curtains and covered with a red carpet, and looked just as warm as it felt.

The father placed the snow-child on the hearth-rug, right in front of the hissing and fuming stove.

(16/18)