as
much skirmishing and crowing, but it all ended in a doleful wail, for
Tom fell out of bed and bumped his precious head, and refused to be
comforted, in any way, shape, or form, until Philip was heard to remark
with admiration:

"You stood on your head, Tom, and wath straight up," and that was
Balm-of-Gilead to the infantile soul of that Young America, for he
immediately ceased to weep, and looked content.

They all lingered there some time after the children had grown quiet,
but finally went down stairs, and left Grandma rocking and watching,
till the last little peeper should be closed, for she insisted on
staying, as all the little folks were not with her always, and dearly
she enjoyed each moment spent with them.

Down stairs, the sisters clustered about the fire, with all the old
girlish love and glee, and looking at them, in that familiar group, very
few changes were noticeable, for time brings few foot-prints if the
heart is happy. Bea wore a matronly little cap of bits of lace and blue
bows, and held in her arms a gleeful baby, with roguish eyes and sunny
little rings of hair, who was named after dear grandma, and who
obstinately refused to go "by-low," as any well regulated baby ought to
do, by seven o'clock in the evening. Kittie and Kat, on the lounge with
clasped arms as of old, looked scarcely a whit changed, though they were
both indelibly stamped with the grace and elegance of city ladies, and
had fulfilled the promise in girlhood, by becoming truly refined and
lovely women. The little stool by the fire was not vacant, for there sat
Jean as of old, with the same sweet face and lovely eyes, only now she
was taller than mama, and the still childish face wore a perfect
happiness, for on the hand that supported her chin, the firelight showed
a ring, and in the smiling eyes any one could read the story of it.
Olive was there too. Olive, of whom they were all so proud, and who was
still Olive Dering; and time had made her very fair to look upon; for
energy and purpose had stamped her face indelibly, and the clear eyes
were beautiful in their light of strength and happy content. She was no
longer a struggling girl, battling with all circumstances, and fighting
her way into work, but a woman, restful, yet not resting, in perfect
success; for every nerve was still alert to further progress, and every
wish and ambition had been sacrificed to one great desire, which would
next year be satisfied; she was going t