But there came a hard year for poor needle-women: it was the year I am writing about, and Sweetie's mother found it almost impossible to get even the necessaries of life. Her children's lips were bluer, their faces more pinched, and thin, threadbare clothes more patched than ever. Sweetie used to take the two boys, and hunt in the streets for bits of coal and wood; but often, the very coldest days, they would have no fire. It was very hard to bear, and especially for the poor mother, who still had to toil on, though she was so chilled, and her hands so numbed, she could hardly draw her needle through her work; and for Harry, who trudged through the streets from daylight until the street lamps were lighted.
The day before Christmas came. People were so busy cooking Christmas dainties that they did not stop to sift their cinders very carefully, and Sweetie and the boys had picked up quite a large bag full of half-burnt coal in the alleys, and were carrying it home as carefully as if it were a great treasure--as, indeed, it was to them. Being very tired, they sat down to rest on the curbstone in front of an elegant mansion. One of the long windows was open.
"Let's get close up under the window," said Sweetie. "I guess it's too warm inside, and may be we shall get some of the heat. O! O! don't it smell good?" she cried, as the savory odors of the Christmas cooking stole out upon the air.
"Coffee," said Sweetie, "and turkeys, and jelly, perhaps."
"I wish I had some," sighed Freddy, "I'm so cold and hungry!"
"Poor little man! he must come and sit in Sweetie's lap; that will make him warmer," said his sister, wrapping her shawl around him.
"Yes; that's nice," said the little fellow, hugging her tight.
Mr. Rogers, the owner of this fine house, had lost his wife and two dear children within the year. He lived here alone, with his servants, and was very desolate. When the children stopped under his window, he was lying on a velvet sofa near it, and, lifting himself up, he peeped out from behind the curtains just as Fred crept into his sister's arms; and he heard all they said.
"When your ship comes in, Sweetie, will it have turkeys and jellies in it?" said Willie, leaning against her.