at Scutari, and her wits went wool-gathering, and refused dates and
the multiplication table. To make matters worse, it commenced
snowing, and there was no prospect of a walk before luncheon. Miss
Ruth did not come down to that meal, and afterward I sat and knitted
in grim silence. Discipline must be maintained, and as Flurry would
not work, neither would I play with her; but I do not know which of
us was punished the most.

"Oh, how cross you are, Esther, and it is Christmas eve!" cried
Flurry at last, on the verge of crying. It was growing dusk, and
already shadows lurked in the corner of the room, Flurry looked at me
so wistfully that I am afraid I should have relented and gone on a
little with Juliet, only at that moment she sprang up joyfully at the
sound of her aunt's voice calling her, and ran out to the top of the
dark staircase.

"We are to go down, you and I; Aunt Ruth wants us," she exclaimed,
laying violent hands on my work. I felt rather surprised at the
summons, for Miss Ruth never called us at this hour, and it would
soon be time for me to go home.

The drawing-room looked the picture of warm comfort as we entered
it; some glorious pine logs were crackling and spluttering in the
grate, sending out showers of colored sparks.

Miss Ruth was half-buried in her easy-chair, with her feet on the
white fleecy rug, and the little square tea-table stood near her,
with its silver kettle and the tiny blue teacups.

"You have sent for us, Miss Ruth," I said, as I crossed the room to