Page 100 - Purple Butterfly Book 2

Date:
“Well, I can stay till dinner-time,” said Alice. “See what a pretty present cousin John sent me!” and Alice held up a new pocket book.
“That is very nice, Alice,” said Mrs. Reed; “now if you had someone to fill it with money, it would be better still.”
“Yes, indeed,” cried Alice, laughingly; “but as I was not so fortunate as to receive any money, and have none of my own to put in it, the pocket-book is not likely to be worn out for a long time.”
“Well, well, Alice,” replied Mrs. Reed, “it is always handy to have things in the house; for some time they may be needed.
“Excuse me a moment, Alice,” continued Mrs. Reed; “sit down here by the fire and warm yourself.”
Alice took a seat by the fire and warmed her fingers; for, although it was a bright sunshiny day, it was very cold.
Mrs. Reed stepped into the adjoining room, and with a light heart and an expression on her face that no one had seen for many a day, took up the little workbox she had prepared for Alice.
Returning again to the sitting room with the box in her hand, she approached Alice and said; “Here, my dear is a little Christmas present I have for you. I sincerely wish it were something better. It will be useful, I know, and I hope it will please you.”
“O how beautiful!” exclaimed Alice, as she caught sight of the curious carvings on the outside of the box. “And a workbox, too!” she continued, as she took it in her hands and lifted the cover; “is it really for me?”
“For no one else, I assure you,” replied Mrs. Reed, as her face lighted up with joy, at seeing Alice so happy.
“O how can I ever thank you enough!” exclaimed Alice, as she threw her arms around Mrs. Reed’s neck and kissed her again and again.
Then taking a seat by Mrs. Reed, Alice began to examine the contents of the new workbox, lifting out the articles one by one, and placing them in her lap.
She then admired the beautiful lining which. Mrs. Reed had put in the box, asking her where she got such pretty pieces of silk.
“That piece of silk at the top, Alice, is a bit of my wedding-dress; and that on the sides, is a part of my wedding-sash. Those remind me of happy days, Alice.
“I had plenty then: a good husband, a happy home, and never thought that I should come to poverty.”
“What is this from?” asked Alice, touching the silk lining at the bottom of the box.
“O that was always in the box, Alice. It was there when my husband received it, and must be
a piece of India silk.
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