billy boy had a magic key. he carried it in his face. there was a secret about this key—it always opened doors into pleasant things. his mamma had taught him that.

billy boy was playing in the yard one day when his mamma came to the door. "billy boy, billy boy!" she called. "i want you to do some errands for me!"

when billy boy hurried up to the steps his mamma handed him two baskets.

"one is to carry the groceries i've ordered, billy boy," she said; "and there's a cake for mrs. thomas in the other. you can leave it on the way to the store."

billy boy's face clouded. "i—i'd rather not go there, mamma," he said. "mrs. thomas is so cross. that's what the boys say."

"that's because they tease her cat, billy boy. remember about the key, and you'll be all right."

billy boy picked up his baskets and marched off. pretty soon, thump, thump, thump! went mrs. thomas's brass knocker.

the door flew open. "no," said mrs. thomas's loud voice, "i don't want—" then she stopped. billy boy was using his magic key.

"i'm mrs. sheldon's little boy," explained billy boy, pulling off his cap. "mamma sent you a cake."

mrs. thomas just could not resist that key. "thank you, child," she said, smiling, and lifting out the cake. "wait a minute," as billy started down the steps.

she plunged her hand deep down in her pocket and drew out a bright new nickel. "here," she said, "buy some candy."

the nickel was clutched tightly in billy boy's hand when he reached home. "look what she gave me!" he cried. "and she wasn't a bit cross. it must have been 'count of the key."

and the magic key? why, it was billy boy's own sunny smile, to be sure.