John smiled, but did not see where he could put her better, and, after all, was it not her little offering of love to her Master?
When it was all over, and the views had been seen, and the story told, and the oranges eaten, and the happy children gone, Hugh said:
"I have enjoyed it."
"So did everyone, I think," remarked Alice.
"In spite of its having been a secret," he went on, smiling; "but another time (though I oughtn't to have been cross over it), if you want to give a fellow pleasure, don't surprise him."
"We will not," said Agnes, glad to see the twinkle in Hugh's eye.
And then tired-out they hastily ate some supper and hurried off to bed, too fatigued to fulfil their intention of sitting up to see the year out.
"I'll set the alarum and wake you all," said John.
So the alarum was set, and they went to bed in peaceful anticipations of waking just in time.
By-and-by it went off with a peal which always startled him in spite of his determination, and out John sprang and struck a match.