I am inclined to think that Miss Garrow was right in saying that the
world is changed as touching mistletoe boughs. Kissing, I fear, is
less innocent now than it used to be when our grand-mothers were
alive, and we have become more fastidious in our amusements.
Nevertheless, I think that she made herself fairly open to the
raillery with which her brothers attacked her.

"Honi soit qui mal y pense," said Frank, who was eighteen.

"Nobody will want to kiss you, my lady Fineairs," said Harry, who
was just a year younger.

"Because you choose to be a Puritan, there are to be no more cakes
and ale in the house," said Frank.

"Still waters run deep; we all know that," said Harry.

The boys had not been present when the matter was decided between
Mrs. Garrow and her daughter, nor had the mother been present when
these little amenities had passed between the brothers and sister.

"Only that mamma has said it, and I wouldn't seem to go against
her," said Frank, "I'd ask my father. He wouldn't give way to such
nonsense, I know."

Elizabeth turned away without answering, and left the room. Her
eyes were full of tears, but she would not let them see that they
had vexed her. They were only two days home from school, and for
the last week before their coming, all her thoughts had been to
prepare for their Christmas pleasures. She had arranged their