Melchior should have kept the effervescing papers to put into the
beer; it's a splendid drink! Otherwise it was first-rate; though it
hit me rather hard. I want to say that though I didn't mean all I said
about being an only son (when a fellow gets put out he doesn't know
what he means), yet I know I was quite wrong, and the story is quite
right. I want particularly to say that I'm very glad there are so many
of us, for the more, you know, the merrier. I wouldn't change father
or mother, brothers or sisters, with any one in the world. It couldn't
be better, we couldn't be happier. We are all together, and to-morrow
is Christmas Day. Thank GOD."

It was very well said. It was a very good speech. It was very well and
very good that while the blessings were with him, he could feel it to
be so, and be grateful.

It was very well, and good also, that the friend, who had neither home
nor kindred to be grateful for, had something else for which he could
thank GOD as heartily. The thought of that something came to
him then as he sat at his friend's table, filling his eyes with tears.
It came to him next day as he knelt before GOD's altar,
remembering in blessed fellowship that deed of love which is the
foundation of all our hope and joy. It came to him when he went back
to his lonely wandering life, and thought with tender interest of that
boyish speech. It came--a whisper of consolation to silence envy and
regret for ever.

"There _is_ something far better. There _is_ something far happier.
There is a better Home than any earthly one, and a Family that shall
never be divided."