"No; he thinks Christmas-day is not like Sunday, and we need not feel bound about going to God's house as we are then; but for my own part I should like to." "So should I," said Alice. "Is John going?" asked Hugh, looking crest-fallen and vexed. "Yes; I don't know that I had intended it though, for I look upon Christmas-day as a blessed holiday, but I've other reasons." "Then you think I can go with Tom?" "As far as that is concerned," said John; "but I should hardly think Tom was a nice companion for you." "Why not?" exclaimed Hugh, turning red. "There are several things about him that are not satisfactory, and I should not like him for my friend." "He is not 'my friend' exactly; but that's always the way with you, John, you despise other people." "I'm sure I don't; but I've always told you. Hugh, that that boy's a humbug." "How do you know he is?" Hugh answered angrily. "He never looks you in the face for one thing." "Nonsense. Did ever you hear such an absurd thing, Agnes, to judge by a fellow's looks?" "Then he does not go with the good set at school, you can't say he does," pursued John. "He goes with me, and I should like you to tell me I belong to the bad set." "You will if you go on with him," John answered quickly; and then he saw Agnes move suddenly and raise her eyes from the table, where they had been fixed during the altercation. One flash of thought, one glance at his sister, and then John stood still with firmly-closed lips. Agnes felt deeply thankful, but she said not a word. "Have you anything more to say?" asked Hugh bitterly, "or have you exhausted all your powers in that last effort?" John was still silent, but an earnest supplication went up that he might know his Lord's will and do it. "Eh?" exclaimed Hugh, coming close to him and speaking to him in hot anger. "I was thinking, Hugh," answered John slowly, "wondering whether I had been unkind in what I said, or right in warning you?" "Warning me! If you had had a grain of sense in your body, you'd have warned me in private, and not before a pack of girls." "Yes," answered John, hesitating a little, "I think I ought not--not like that, but it never occurred to me; we got into it before I knew." "That is a very poor excuse for annoying your brother, and a very cowardly way of getting out of it." "Cowardly?" said Alice, beneath her breath, to Agnes. But John answered, "Having acknowledged that I should have told you in private, Hugh, will you forgive me? and may I come up with you and talk it over?" "No," exclaimed Hugh; "never mention the subject to me again." And with that he gathered his painting materials together, and walked off, followed by Alice, who was looking grieved enough. "Oh, Agnes!" said John, turning to her, "I meant to do right, but after all I have broken my promise on Christmas-day!" "I can't see that you have," answered Agnes gently; "no one can guard against all difficulties."