was with the two she loved best
on earth, and it seemed such a glad beginning to the year. She smiled,
talked, and looked to where Guy pointed, seeing beauty in everything,
even in the ragged children who begged pennies as they passed along, for
an inward light gave the charm, and a sweeter voice than that of brother
or sister, made gladness. Several visits were made that afternoon to old
friends who urged them to stay for tea; and it would have been pleasant,
the girls thought, but Guy appeared anxious to go home, so they yielded
very cheerfully. Guy had been planning a delightful surprise for his
sisters, and he meant to make the announcement at the tea-table.

"Now for home and an early tea," he said after making their last call.

The girls brightened at the thought that home was really becoming
attractive to Guy, and although they had thought it would be pleasant to
free themselves from home duties for one evening and enjoy it with their
friends, they lost sight of their own wishes in their great desire to
please Guy.

"It is the best place after all, isn't it?" said Agnes, looking at her
brother, who was holding the door for his sisters to enter. But his
hasty, "Yes, hurry up with tea, girls," gave a new turn to their
thoughts. Perhaps after all he meant to spend the evening out.

"Wouldn't it have been delightful if we could have staid at Borden's?"
asked Agnes, sitting down at the foot of the bed, her favorite seat, as
she untied her bonnet.

"Indeed it would," was the reply. "I don't know when I ever wanted so
much to stay. We might often go out for tea if it were not for Guy, and
that is one reason I wish we could keep a servant."

"A servant would not be company for him, Ruth, he would not come home at
all for tea if we were not here. But if he cared more for our friends he
would be more willing to visit with us. I don't think, however men care
to be from home at meal-time, and I am so glad Guy is not dissatisfied
with our plain way of living, now that he sees so much style and moves
in such a refined circle."

"Where would be the use in being dissatisfied, he knows it can't be
helped," was Ruth's reply as she turned to leave the room.

"I thought you were hungry," remarked Ruth, as Guy refused one or two
dishes that were handed him.

"Not very," was the reply.

"Well that was cool, hurrying us home as if you were on the point of
starvation, and now acknowledging that you are not hungry," said Agnes