Norah held her left hand high in the air, and began checking off the fingers with ostentatious emphasis. "I resolve always to get up in the morning as soon as I am called, and without a single grumble; always to be amiable when annoyed; always to do what other people like, and what I dislike myself; always to be good-tempered with the boys, and smile upon them when they pull my hair and play tricks with my things; always be cheerful, contented, ladylike in deportment, and agreeable in manner. What do you say? _Silly_! I am not silly at all. If you are going to make resolutions at all, you ought to do it properly. Aim at the sky, and you may reach the top of the tree; aim at the top of the tree, and you will grovel on the ground. You are too modest in your aspirations, and they won't come to any good; but as for me--with a standard before me of absolute perfection--" "Who is talking of perfection? And where is the tea, and why are you still in darkness, with none of the lamps lighted? It is five o'clock, and I have been in my study waiting for the bell to ring for the last half-hour. What are you all doing over there by the fire?" cried a masculine voice, and a man's tall figure stood outlined in the doorway. CHAPTER TWO. HILARY IN LUCK. There was a simultaneous exclamation of dismay as the three girls leapt from their seats, and flew round the room in different directions. Hilary lighted the lamps, Norah drew the curtains across the windows, while Lettice first gave a peal to the bell, and then ran forward to escort her father to a chair by the fire. "Tea will be here in a moment, father; come and sit down. It's New Year's Day, you know, and we have been so busy making good resolutions that we have had no time for anything practical. Why didn't you come down before? You are a regular old woman about afternoon tea; I believe you would miss it more than any other meal."