"We will try to provide as great a variety of amusements as possible, and shall be glad of any hints or suggestions from old or young in regard to anything new in that line." "We will all try to help you, mamma," Violet said, "and not be jealous or envious if your party should far outshine ours of last year." "And we have more than a month to get ready in," remarked Rosie with satisfaction.

"Oh I'm so glad mamma has decided on it in such good season!" "Hello!" cried Max, glancing back toward an intersecting road which they had just crossed, "Here they come!" "Who ?" asked several voices, while all turned their heads to see for themselves.
"The Oaks, and the Roselands folks," answered Max, and as he spoke two large sleighs came swiftly up in the rear of their own, their occupants calling out merry greetings, and receiving a return in kind.
The wind had fallen, the cold was not intense, and they were so well protected against it by coats and robes of fur, that they scarcely felt it, and found the ride so thoroughly enjoyable that they kept it up through the whole morning, managing their return so that Ion was reached only a few minutes before the dinner hour.
Ion was a sort of headquarters for the entire connection, and everybody seemed to feel perfectly at home.

Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.

"I want jewelry," said Sidney Dinsmore.

"I'd rather have that than anything else.