.

The State Dinner.
The dinner hour drew near--yet strangely enough, the thought brought but slight discomfort to Tom, and hardly any terror.

The morning's experiences had wonderfully built up his confidence; the poor little ash-cat was already more wonted to his strange garret, after four days' habit, than a mature person could have become in a full month.

A child's facility in accommodating itself to circumstances was never more strikingly illustrated.
Let us privileged ones hurry to the great banqueting-room and have a glance at matters there whilst Tom is being made ready for the imposing occasion.

It is a spacious apartment, with gilded pillars and pilasters, and pictured walls and ceilings.