Lewie | Page 8

aunty," said she, after stooping to kiss Agnes, "you are back
sooner than I expected."
"Yes, dear, I was obliged to hurry; little Lewie is very ill, I fear. By the
way, Harry, run and tell Matthew that just as soon as he is warm, he
must drive as fast as possible to the village, and ask Dr. Rodney to get
directly into the sleigh, to go to your Aunt Elwyn's; and tell him to call
for me, as he comes back."
"Why, mamma, are you going back there again?" asked Effie.
"Yes, love, I must go back, and remain with your Aunt Harriet to-day. I
only came home to make some arrangements for the family. I want
your papa to drive over for me to-night, after the little ones are all in
bed; and I desire the rest of you to keep out of my way till I have
changed my dress. I do not know yet what is the matter with Lewie.
How do you feel, Emily?"
"Much better, thank you, aunty; I am quite prepared to play lady of the
house in your absence."
"Well, do put aside those books, dear: your health is the most important
thing now. I wish I could leave you so busy with household concerns as
to give you not a moment's time for reading."
"Dear aunty, I do not think the books hurt me; and you certainly would
not have me grow up a dunce, would you?"
"No fear of that, dear; and I by no means wish you to give up your
books altogether, but only to lay them aside till you get a little color in
these pale cheeks. I shall lay my commands on your uncle not to give

you any more assistance in your studies till I give him permission."
"Well, I'll be very good, aunty, and I've promised the boys to take a run
with them over to the pond, and see them skate; and besides, we are all
invited to an entertainment in a certain snow palace, which is nearly
finished, and which I have promised to grace with my presence."
Just then two fine handsome boys, the pictures of health and good
nature, rushed in. These were Robert and Albert Wharton, home from
school for the Christmas holidays.
"Mother, what will you give us for our entertainment?" they cried.
"Have you a table and seats?" she asked.
"Yes, all made of snow," said Albert. "But don't let us tell her all about
it, Bob; I want to surprise her."
"I think your entertainment, to be in keeping with your furniture, ought
to be of snow and icicles," said Mrs. Wharton; "but, whatever it is, I am
sorry that I cannot visit your snow palace to-day."
"Oh! that's too bad, mother; it will spoil all our fun. But, say, will you
give us something to eat?"
"Yes; I leave Emily mistress of the keys for to-day, and you may call
upon her for pies, cake, or anything the store-room contains; only be a
little moderate, and don't leave us entirely destitute."
"It won't be half so pleasant without you, mother," said Robert; "but we
shall have quite as many as our palace can accommodate, if all these go.
Hallo! here's Agnes! Why, Aggy, how do you do? I didn't see you
before."
At this moment the sleigh was seen coming up the lane, and Mrs.
Wharton hastened to get ready to accompany the doctor to the
Hemlocks.
"I want to whisper to you, dear mother, one minute," said little Grace.
"What more Christmas secrets?" asked her mother.
A whispered consultation here took place, some request being urged
with great eagerness by Grace; and the pleasant "Yes, yes," from her
mother, made her bright eyes dance with joy.
As Mrs. Wharton was driving from the door, Albert called out:
"Mother, may the baby go with us?"
"Yes, if Kitty will wrap him up well," was the answer, and the sleigh
flew down the lane, and was soon out of sight.
Agnes was now hurried off by her young cousins to inspect the various

preparations for Christmas, and was made the repository of some most
important secrets, "of which she must not give a hint for the world."
She saw the purse Effie was knitting for Albert, and the guard-chain
Grace was weaving for Robert, and the mittens for Harry, and the socks
for the baby, and the pen-wiper for papa, and the iron-holder for
mamma; and then Effie took her aside alone, to show her something
she was making for Grace; and Grace took her aside alone, to show
something she had bought with "her own money" for Effie; and there
was a beautiful book for Cousin Emily. "And we cannot show you yet
whether we have anything