ying to keep them all."

"Well, let's all make a few, just for the fun of it, and see if we can
keep them," I said. "And let's get paper and ink and write them out.
That will make them seem more solemn and binding."

"And then pin them up on our bedroom walls, where we'll see them every
day," suggested the Story Girl, "and every time we break a resolution
we must put a cross opposite it. That will show us what progress we are
making, as well as make us ashamed if we have too many crosses."

"And let's have a Roll of Honour in Our Magazine," suggested Felix, "and
every month we'll publish the names of those who keep their resolutions
perfect."

"I think it's all nonsense," said Felicity. But she joined our circle
around the table, though she sat for a long time with a blank sheet
before her.

"Let's each make a resolution in turn," I said. "I'll lead off."

And, recalling with shame certain unpleasant differences of opinion I
had lately had with Felicity, I wrote down in my best hand,

"I shall try to keep my temper always."

"You'd better," said Felicity tactfully.

It was Dan's turn next.

"I can't think of anything to start with," he said, gnawing his
penholder fiercely.

"You might make a resolution not to eat poison berries," suggested
Felicity.

"You'd better make one not to nag people everlastingly," retorted Dan.

"Oh, don't quarrel the last night of the old year," implored Cecily.

"You might resolve not to quarrel any time," suggested Sara Ray.

"No, sir," said Dan emphatically. "There's no use making a resolution
you CAN'T keep. There are people in this family you've just GOT to
quarrel with if you want to live. But I've thought of one--I won't do
things to spite people."

Felicity--who really was in an unbearable mood that night--laughed
disagreeably; but Cecily gave her a fierce nudge, which probably
restrained her from speaking.

"I will not eat any apples," wrote Felix.

"What on earth do you want to give up eating apples for?" asked Peter in
astonishment.

"Never mind," returned Felix.

"Apples make people fat, you know," said Felicity sweetly.

"It seems a funny kind of resolution," I said doubtfully. "I think our
resolutions ought to be giving up wrong things or doing right ones."

"You make your resolutions to suit yourself and I'll make mine to suit
myself," said Felix defiantly.

"I shall never get drunk," wrote Peter painstakingly.

"But you never do," said the Story G