—a suit of clothes? oh, Miss Jenny Hart—and the old man wrung her hand, with his eyes swimming; while she, the good little maiden, laughed till she cried.
"Ira Elkado—lift up that cover," said she, touching it with her wand. "What can it be?" thought he; "it lies flat; I think she means to play me a trick. I shall not touch it. Nothing can lie under that flat cover;" so he said, "Never mind me, Jenny Hart; pass on to Mr. Archy Campbell."
"Well, then," said Jenny Hart, laughing, "Archy Campbell, lift up your parcel;" and Archy Campbell lifted up the cover; but there was nothing but a bunch of rods and a little note. He slipped the note into his pocket, without looking at it, reddening up to the very temples. He likewise took up the bunch of rods, and gallantly kissed it, which made Jenny Hart blush in return. "Devil take the impudent rascal," said Ira Elkado.
"You come next, Alfred Gray;" and Alfred Gray lifted up the cover, where lay chess men and drawing materials, and perfumery, and books, and keepsakes in plenty. A little note lay there, too; but he left all and went near the door to read it. "Keep the contents to yourself," whispered Jenny Hart.
Jasper Merry's parcel was similar to his friend's; and the little note caused them both to smile. Peter Squires came last; and there lay a nice new suit of clothes for him, and a variety of very useful and pretty articles likewise; such as a poor young man would like to have, and could not afford to buy.
"Now you are all pleased," said Jenny Hart, "but Ira Elkado; and why he don't lift up the cover I cannot tell. I must do it for him." She lifted up the cover, and only a little note was seen. Archy Campbell felt injured, for he dreaded the contents of the note; but he need not have been jealous. It ran thus:
"Mr. Ira Elkado, you have served me faithfully
