"Very much," answered Bess. "I can have Bert to cure my body, and Phil my soul, while Ted shall survey my garden, and Rob shall make a collection of the insects that devour my crops. Fred I shall keep to fight for me and with me. Then, at the end of every year, we will all meet and talk over our battles, and make our plans for the next campaign. And now, my boys, it is growing late, and I must send you away. But, before you go, I am going to bring in some water, and we'll drink a health to the Old Year that has given us so much, and taken away one dear one from the half-dozen boys."
As they stood grouped about her, Bess slowly repeated the toast,—
"'Here's to those that I love; here's to those that love me;
Here's to those that love those that I love;
Here's to those that love those that love those that love me;
Here's to those that love those that I love.'"
"That's most everybody," said Ted, as he set down his empty glass.
"It ought to include all the world, on the eve of the New Year," answered Bess gently.
The last good-night had been said, and the boys were gone, leaving Fred and Bess standing together in the hall.
"Need I go to bed yet?" asked Fred. "I'm not sleepy a bit, even if it is late."
"No, dear; I have several things I want to talk over with you," said Bess, smiling happily to herself as she led the way back to the library fire.
Fred settled himself on a hassock at her feet, in his favorite position, and turned his face to listen. But Bess seemed in no hurry to begin the conversation. She thoughtfully stroked and patted the boy's face, and played with his hair. Suddenly she asked,—
"Well, laddie, has the last year been any better than the one before it?"