clock, she was twice called into the kitchen to superintend some
important dinner arrangement, and thus it turned out that she did not
finish one page of her letter.

On the third morning the sun shone, and Mrs. James rose early, made
every provision which she deemed necessary for dinner, and for the
comfort of her family; and then, elated by her success, in good spirits,
and with good courage, she entered her study precisely at eleven
o'clock, and locked her door. Her books were opened, and the challenge
given to a hard German lesson. Scarcely had she made the first onset,
when the door-bell was heard to ring, and soon Bridget coming nearer and
nearer--then tapping at the door.

"Somebodies wants to see you in the parlor, ma'am."

"Tell them I am engaged, Bridget."

"I told 'em you were to-home, ma'am, and they sent up their names, but I
ha'n't got 'em, jist."

There was no help for it--Mrs. James must go down to receive her
callers. She had to smile when she felt little like it--to be sociable
when her thoughts were busy with her task. Her friends made a long
call--they had nothing else to do with their time, and when they went,
others came. In very unsatisfactory chit-chat, her morning slipped away.

On the next day, Mr. James invited company to tea, and her morning was
devoted to preparing for it; she did not enter her study. On the day
following, a sick-head-ache confined her to her bed, and on Saturday the
care of the baby devolved upon her, as Amy had extra work to do. Thus
passed the first week.

True to her promise, Mrs. James patiently persevered for a month, in her
efforts to secure for herself this little fragment of her broken time,
but with what success, the first week's history can tell. With its
close, closed the month of December.

On the last day of the old year, she was so much occupied in her
preparations for the morrow's festival, that the last hour of the day
was approaching, before she made her good night's call in the nursery.
She first went to the crib and looked at the baby. There he lay in his
innocence and beauty, fast asleep. She softly stroked his golden
hair--she kissed gently his rosy cheek--she pressed the little dimpled
hand in hers, and then, carefully drawing the coverlet over it, tucked
it in, and stealing yet another kiss--she left him to his peaceful
dreams and sat down on her daughter's bed. She also slept sweetly, with
her dolly hugged to her bosom. At this her mother sm