"I know what Agnes means," said Minnie.
"I was thinking then of the day father came home from America—last time; and we had received the telegram that he had landed at Liverpool. How we all went about singing and happy; how we never thought of quarrelling, but hastened to get everything ready for him."
"I remember that day," said Alice; "it was one of the nicest I ever spent."
"So that is what I mean by a 'well of happiness;' something which gives us joy, independently of anything else."
"And what's your Christmas 'well of joy' for this year, Agnes?" asked John with a smile.
Agnes gave an answering smile. "Oh, John, it is that we are His; that, through the coming of the dear Saviour, we have been given all other blessings—happiness and peace here, everlasting joy hereafter."
"And you think that ought to make up for all other deficiencies?" asked Hugh.
"If we have got it," said Alice thoughtfully; "but sometimes I wonder——" she looked down, and tears glittered in her eyes.
Agnes heard the quiver in the tone, and put her arm lovingly round her sister. "Is it so difficult to know?"
Alice shook her head.