said Mr. Lilburn, stroking her hair. "I'll try to atone for it,
one o' these days, by telling you and the other bairns the finest stories
I know."

The promise called forth from the young folks a chorus of thanks and
exclamations of delight, Walter adding, "Won't you please tell one now,
Cousin Ronald, to comfort Gracie?"

"A very disinterested request, no doubt, my little son," Elsie said
laughingly, as she rose and took his hand to lead him from the room; "but
it is high time both you and Gracie were in your nests. So bid good-night,
and we will go."

CHAPTER XI.

"At Christmas play, and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year."
--Tusser.

It was the day before Christmas.

"When do our holidays begin, mamma?" asked Rosie, as she put her books
neatly away in her desk after the last morning recitation.

"Now, my child; we will have no tasks this afternoon. Instead, I give my
five little folks an invitation to drive into the city with me. How many
will accept?"

"I, thank you, ma'am," "and I," "and I," came in joyous tones from one and
another, for all were in the room, and not one indifferent to the delight
of a visit to the city, especially just at this time when the stores were
so full of pretty things. Besides, who could fail to enjoy a drive with
the kind, sweet lady some of them called mamma, others Grandma Elsie?

"Then you may all be ready to start immediately after dinner," she said,
glancing around upon them with a benign smile.

It was a still, bright day, mild for the season, no snow on the ground to
make a sleigh-ride possible, but the roads were good, they had fine
horses, plenty of wraps, and the ride in the softly-cushioned,
easy-rolling carriage, whose large plate-glass windows gave them a good
view of the country first, then of the streets and shop windows of the
city, was found very enjoyable.

They were not afraid to jest, laugh, and be as merry as health, freedom
from care, youthful spirits, and pleasing anticipations for the morrow
inclined them to be.

Most of the Christmas shopping had been done days before, but some orders
were left with grocers and confectioners, and Grandma Elsie treated
generously to bonbons.

She allowed her children much greater latitude in such matters than her
father had permitted her in her early years.

The Ion carriage had scarcely turned out of the avenue, on its way to the
city, when one of th