selfishness, of truth and purity, of devotion to duty, of a higher
love for others, of obedience to the will of God; then this will be
a truly happy New Year.

As I have told you, Frank, beforehand, what your New Year's gift is
to be, I will tell Harry, if he pleases, what I have got for him."

"Tell it now, Mother. It is so pleasant here by the fire."

"You are to have a nice new desk, with a key to it, all your own."

"O, that's prime, Mother," said Harry; "and where shall I keep it"?
"

"In my little writing room, if you like, Harry."

"Yes, Mother; and then I can talk a little now and then to you, I
suppose."

"Sometimes, Harry; and I doubt not that Frank will let you come, now
and then, to his closet. I don't want this closet to separate you;
but, on the contrary, to be the means of making you better friends,
because it will help Frank to be a better boy, and so always to set
you a good example."

"It is rather hard, Mother, for a boy to set a good example. I don't
think I ever did such a thing in my life."

"Mother," said Harry, "you told us that you had been translating a
little story from a French book, to read to us some evening. We