to do? Those columns look very well."

"O, are you come to help us, papa?"

"I came chiefly because grandmamma was a good deal concerned at your
not coming home to luncheon. You must not be out the whole morning again
just at present. I have some sandwiches in my pocket for you."

Beatrice explained how they had been fed, and her papa said, "Very well,
we will find some one who will be glad of them; but mind, do not make
her think you unsociable again. Do you hear and heed?"

It was the sort of tone which, while perfectly kind and gentle, shows
that it belongs to a man who will be obeyed, and ready compliance was
promised. He proceeded to give his very valuable aid at once in taste
and execution, the adornment prospered greatly, and when Mr. Franklin
came in, his surprise and delight were excited by the beauty which
had grown up in his absence. The long, drooping, massive wreaths of
evergreen at the east end, centring in the crown and letters; the spiral
festoons round the pillars; the sprays in every niche; the tower of
holly over the font--all were more beautiful, both together and singly,
than he had even imagined, and he was profuse in admiration and thanks.

The work was done; and the two Misses Langford, after one well-satisfied
survey from the door, bent their steps homeward, looking forward to the
pleasure with which grandpapa and Aunt Mary would see it to-morrow. As
they went in the deepening twilight, the whole village seemed vocal:
children's voices, shrill and tuneless near, but softened by distance,
were ringing out here, there, and everywhere, with

"As shepherds watch'd their flocks by night."

And again, as they walked on, the sound from another band of little
voices was brought on the still frosty wind--

"Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind."

Imperfect rhymes, bad voices, no time observed; but how joyous,--how
really Christmas-like--how well it suited the soft half-light, the last
pale shine of sunset lingering in the south-west! the large solemn stars
that one by one appeared! How Uncle Geoffrey caught up the lines and
sang them over to himself! How light and free Beatrice walked!--and how
the quiet happy tears would rise in Henrietta's eyes!

The singing in the drawing-room that evening, far superior as it was,
with Henrietta, Beatrice, Frederick, and even Aunt Mary's beautiful
voice, was not equal in enjoyment to that. Was it because Beatrice was
teasing Fred a