with others. I want to remind
the people that there are different ways of giving, and that the
bestowing of one's self in service and good deeds can be the best of
all gifts. Letty Boynton won't need the sermon!--Don't be late, Reba."

"Of course not. When was I ever late? It has just struck seven and
I'll be back by eight to choose the hymns. And oh! Luther, I have some
fresh ideas for Christmas cards and I am going to try my luck with
them in the marts of trade. There are hundreds of thousands of such
things sold nowadays; and if the 'Boston Banner' likes my verses well
enough to send me the paper regularly, why shouldn't the people who
make cards like them too, especially when I can draw and paint my own
pictures?"

"I've no doubt they'll like them; who wouldn't? If the parish knew
what a ready pen you have, they'd suspect that you help me in my
sermons! The question is, will the publishers send you a check, or
only a copy of your card?"

"I should relish a check, I confess; but oh! I should like almost as
well a beautifully colored card, Luther, with a picture of my own
inventing on it, my own verse, and R. L. in tiny letters somewhere in
the corner! It would make such a lovely Christmas present! And I
should be so proud; inside of course, not outside! I would cover my
halo with my hat so that nobody in the congregation would ever notice
it!"

The minister laughed.

"Consult Letty, my dear. David used to be in some sort of picture
business in Boston. She will know, perhaps, where to offer your
card!"

At the introduction of a new theme into the conversation Mrs. Larrabee
slipped into a chair by the door, her lantern swinging in her hand.

"David can't be as near as Boston or we should hear of him sometimes.
A pretty sort of brother to be meandering foot-loose over the earth,
and Letty working her fingers to the bone to support his
children--twins at that! It was just like David Gilman to have twins!
Doesn't it seem incredible that he can let Christmas go by without a
message? I dare say he doesn't even remember that his babies were born
on Christmas eve. To be sure he is only Letty's half-brother, but
after all they grew up together and are nearly the same age."

"You always judged David a little severely, Reba. Don't despair of
reforming any man till you see the grass growing over his bare bones.
I always have a soft spot in my heart for him when I remember his
friendship for my Dick; but that was before