The winter season is now approaching; the people are flocking back to town from their country homes; fashionable gaieties and notable events will soon hold full sway.

The dear girls are surely entitled to enjoy these things, don't you think?
Aren't they _worthy_ the best that life has to offer?
And why shouldn't they enter society, if you do your full duty?
Once get them properly introduced and they will be able to hold their own with perfect ease.
Give me the credit for knowing these things, John, and try to help your nieces to attain their ambition." "But _is_ it their ambition ?" he asked, doubtfully.
"They have not said so in words; but I can assure you it _is_ their ambition, because all three are sensible, spirited, young women, who live in this age and not the one you yourself knew a half century or so ago." Mr.Merrick sighed and rubbed his head again.

Then he slowly rose.
"Mornin', Martha," he said, with a somewhat abstracted nod at his sister-in-law.

"This is a new idea to me.

I'll think it over.".