once to show it to us children, and she did. Oh she has just the
loveliest rings and whole sets of jewelry--pins and ear-rings to
match--and chains and bracelets! I'm sure they must be worth a great
deal of money; Rosie said they were, and I'm sure Grandma Elsie is a
real true Christian--a very, very good one and that Mamma Vi is too."

"And I agree with you in that," was the emphatic reply. "But my daughter
and I have nothing to do with deciding their duty for them in regard to
this or other things. God does not require that of us; indeed forbids
it; 'Judge not, that ye be not judged,' Jesus said.

"But I see plainly that my duty is as I explained it to you last
evening, and I thought then you were convinced that it would be selfish
and wrong for you and me to spend a large sum for useless ornament that
might otherwise be used for the good of our fellow creatures, and the
advancement of Christ's kingdom."

"Yes, papa, I was, and I'm trying, and asking God to help me, not to
want the ring I asked you for; but I'm afraid it'll take me quite a
while to quite stop wishing for it," she sighed.

"You will conquer at length, if you keep on trying and asking for help,"
he said, giving her a tender kiss.

"A good plan will be to fill your thoughts with other things," he went
on; "your lessons while in the school-room, after that you may find it
pleasant to begin planning for Christmas gifts to be made or bought for
those you love, and others whom you would like to help. I shall give
each of you--including Max--as much extra spending money as I did last
year."