Esther looked ravenously at the four-square tower built of edible bricks, shivering as the biting air sought out her back through a sudden interstice in the heaving mass.

The draught reminded her more keenly of her little ones huddled together in the fireless garret at home.

Ah! what a happy night was in store.

She must not let them devour the two loaves to-night; that would be criminal extravagance.

No, one would suffice for the banquet, the other must be carefully put by.