me say it."

"Oh, don't you think o' that; you 're all I 've got near to me in the
world, an' I 'll come an' welcome," said Abby, though the thought of
her own little home gave a hard tug at her heart. "Yes, Aunt Cynthy, I
'll come, an' we 'll be real comfortable together. I 've been lonesome
sometimes"--

"'Twill be best for both," said Mrs. Hand judicially. And so the great
question was settled, and suddenly, without too much excitement, it
became a thing of the past.

"We must be thinkin' o' dinner," said Aunt Cynthia gayly. "I wish I
was better prepared; but there 's nice eggs an' pork an' potatoes, an'
you girls can take hold an' help." At this moment the roast chicken
and the best mince pies were offered and kindly accepted, and before
another hour had gone they were sitting at their New Year feast, which
Mrs. Dallett decided to be quite proper for the Queen.

Before the guests departed, when the sun was getting low, Aunt Cynthia
called her niece to her side and took hold of her hand.

"Don't you make it too long now, Abby," said she. "I shall be wantin'
ye every day till you come; but you must n't forgit what a set old
thing I be."

Abby had the kindest of hearts, and was always longing for somebody to
love and care for; her aunt's very age and helplessness seemed to beg
for pity.

"This is Saturday; you may expect me the early part of the week; and
thank you, too, aunt," said Abby.

Mrs. Hand stood by with deep sympathy. "It's the proper thing," she
announced calmly. "You 'd both of you be a sight happier; and truth
is, Abby's wild an' reckless, an' needs somebody to stand right over
her, Mis' Dallett. I guess she 'll try an' behave, but there--there 's
no knowin'!" And they all laughed. Then the New Year guests said
farewell and started off down the mountain road. They looked back more
than once to see Aunt Cynthia's face at the window as she watched them
out of sight. Miss Abby Pendexter was full of excitement; she looked
as happy as a child.

"I feel as if we 'd gained the battle of Waterloo," said Mrs. Hand. "I
've really had a most beautiful time. You an' your aunt must n't
forgit to invite me up some time again to spend another day."

THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

I.

There was a sad heart in the low-storied, dark little house that stood
humbly by the roadside under some tall elms. Small as her house was,
old Mrs. Robb found it too large for herself alone; she only n