le. The thing that a man
strives for--deeply, strongly, persistently--_that thing he can hovel_
That is the theory held by many great thinkers of to-day. And it is
_true_."

There was silence for a moment, while everyone looked questioningly at
the figure of the speaker. The man with the tired eyes asked a
question:

"I suppose that applies to women as well as to men! Have _you_ proved
it, Mrs Ingram?"

"I have proved it," answered the quiet voice. The host leaned forward,
and knocked the ash of his cigarette into the grate. His face was
hidden from view. Mrs Ingram looked round with a sudden, challenging
smile. "_Why don't you all prove it_?" she cried. "Why don't you all
start forth on this year with an aim in view? I don't say you will gain
it in one year, or in two, or possibly in a dozen; but if you care
enough to go on trying, it _will_ be gained! It's a question of one big
aim instead of a dozen. The lesser things must go; you must become a
man, a woman, of one idea. There are other things which are good and
pleasant and alluring, but they must be set aside as weights which would
hamper the chase. You cannot have the one big thing--and everything
else! Therefore it is well to ask oneself seriously at the
beginning--_Is it worth while_?"

Once more the guests were silent, staring into the heart of the fire.
That last question, uttered in a deep, grave tone, had called to the bar
those inner voices which had so long breathed envy and discontent. Each
listener examined his own motives, and knew a chill of doubt, but the
chill passed, and the conviction remained. Each one felt convinced that
life held no good outside the coveted goal.

The silence gave assent, as Mrs Ingram realised without need of further
words.

"Suppose," she said gently, "you make me your father confessor to-night,
and confess your various aims and ambitions? It is the sort of
confession appropriate to a New Year's dawn, and perhaps the very
putting into words will vitalise your dreams and take them the first
step towards becoming realities. You must _all_ confess, remember!
There must be no holding back; if one begins the rest must follow, and
after the confessions have been made, we must pledge ourselves to help
each other towards our separate goals, if not by material aids, by
reinforcing his will with our own!"

The girl in blue laughed lightly, and cried: "Oh, let's! Let's all
confess, and then, years afterwards