It had been predicted from the premature beginning of the winter's gaieties, that an ebb would occur before the Southern carnival, Christmas, and the party-goers resolved to falsify the prophecy. Mrs. Dana called on the afternoon of the 24th to invite Ida and Josephine to dine with her. "You will see only ourselves and Mr. Holmes, who is Charley's shadow." "A stupid set," was Josephine's reflection. "How pleasant," Ida's; and their answers corresponded. The former, "very sorry, papa would always dine at home, Christmas-day; he held it to be a religious duty she verily believed," laughing affectedly, "and he could not eat unless she were there." Ida said, "I will come with pleasure, thank you," and lost all but the main purport of Miss Read's apology, in an eager whisper from Elle, who was with her mother. "I don't hear, will I 'please come to what?'" lifting her to her lap. Elle put her arms around her neck, and her mouth to her ear. "To your molasses stew!" said Ida, "indeed I will. When is it to be?" Another important whisper. "Josephine, are we engaged for to-morrow evening?" "I do not know," she replied, shortly. "I hope not," said Mrs. Dana. "Elle's head is full of her frolic. I was describing to her the molasses stew I had every Christmas, when I was a child, and nothing would do but I must promise her one for 'being a good girl.'" "She deserves it, I know," said Ida, fondly. "I will come, Elle, if I leave fifty grown people's parties." "Will you, too?" asked the child, going up to Josephine. Mrs. Dana pressed the invitation. "I am not certain, but I have engaged to go somewhere else," said Josephine, smiling heartlessly into the pure little face. "If I can, I will do myself the honor, Miss Dana." The wretched attempt at playfulness actually frightened Elle, who shrunk again to the side of her friend. "Are you serious in promising to go to this babyish fal-lal?" snapped Josephine, the minute Mrs. Dana was gone. "I am." "Did not you hear that Anna Talbot is to receive company to-morrow night?" "Yes; and I am rejoiced that Elle's invitation was earliest. There are Anna and Ellen Morris." "I haven't time to stay," exclaimed the young lady, throwing herself upon the sofa. "You both must spend a sociable evening with me--a Christmas jubilee--egg-nogg, country-dances, etc. We are to have a high time. You are disengaged?" "I am," said Josephine, promptly, "and if I were not, I could not resist the temptation to send a 'regret,' and go to your house." "Thank you--and you, Ida--may I count upon you both?" drawing up her cloak. Ida declined courteously;--"she was engaged to Mrs. Dana." "Oh!" began Anna, disappointed. "Is it not too silly!" interposed Josephine. "It is a child's party--a molasses stew--think of it!" "You are joking, Ida," said Ellen, "excuse yourself to Elle--we want you!" "Not as much as my little cousin does. I cannot break my word to her."