jimmy was looking out of the nursery window, watching the big steam shovel lift the rocks and earth out of the lot opposite, to make room for the cellar of the house which was to be built there. first the shovel would scoop down into the earth and then carry the stones and soil to the wagon into which it dumped its contents.

jimmy was kept indoors on account of the mumps, and therefore spent much of his time at the nursery window watching what was going on outside. he was very glad, however, when he was able once more to run and watch the builders lay the bricks and stones, for the work of excavating was over by this time. when the house was completed, a family moved in. there were a boy and girl, and the boy was just about jimmy's age. very soon jimmy made his acquaintance, and soon all three were going out into the park every afternoon; ted went too, and also the little dog that belonged to jimmy's new friends. this little dog's name was flip.

on his birthday jimmy had a party, and invited his two new friends, herbert and helen, with a number of other children, to come and help him eat his birthday cake. in this beautiful cake was hidden a little ring, and the lucky person in whose piece was found the prize, was entitled to keep it. every one was very much excited, and each little boy and girl looked anxiously through his piece in the hope of finding the ring. but it was not to be found. suddenly jimmy, who had given ted a small bit of cake, looked down on the floor and there beside ted's little white foot was the ring.