intends to keep it as
such."

"There is much truth in what Martin says," observed Mr. Campbell; "we
require the seventh day in the week and other stated seasons of devotion
to be regularly set apart, in order to keep us in mind of our duties and
preserve the life of religion. In the woods, remote from communion with
other Christians, these things are easily forgotten, and when once we
have lost our calculation, it is not to be recovered. But come, Alfred
and Henry and Martin must be very tired, and we had better all go to
bed. I will sit up a little while to give some drink to my patient, if
she wishes it. Good-night, my children."

CHAPTER XXI.

Christmas-day was indeed a change, as Emma had observed, from their
former Christmas; but although the frost was more than usually severe,
and the snow filled the air with its white flakes, and the north-east
wind howled through the leafless trees as they rasped their long arms
against each other, and the lake was one sheet of thick ice with a
covering of snow which the wind had in different places blown up into
hillocks, still they had a good roof over their heads, and a warm,
blazing fire on the hearth: and they had no domestic miseries, the worst
miseries of all to contend against, for they were a united family,
loving and beloved; showing mutual acts of kindness and mutual acts of
forbearance; proving how much better was "a dish of herbs where love is,
than the stalled ox with hatred therewith." Moreover they were all
piously disposed; they were sensible that they owed a large debt of
gratitude to Heaven for all its daily mercies in providing them with
food and raiment, for warding off from them sickness and sorrow, and
giving them humble and contented hearts; and on this day, they felt how
little were all worldly considerations, compared with the hopes which
were held out to them through the great sacrifice which the goodness and
mercy of God had made for them and all the world. It was, therefore,
with cheerful yet subdued looks that they greeted each other when they
met previous to the morning prayers.

Mr. Campbell had already visited his patient and readjusted the bandage:
her ankle was better, but still very much swelled; the poor creature
made no complaints, she looked grateful for what was done and for the
kindness shown to her. They were all arrayed in their best Sunday
dresses, and as soon as prayers were over had just wished each other the
congratulat