JOHN'S PROMISE.
hus the few days before Christmas passed busily on, while Agnes began to feel less anxiety as to her charge during their parents' absence.
The nearness of her grandmother and aunt were an untold comfort, but her mother had said to her before she left, "Do not run in to them with every little tittle-tattle, but remember there is a nearer Friend always close. Should any great emergency arise, be thankful that He has so placed you that you can ask advice of them."
The whole family, according to the usual custom, were to spend Christmas-day at Mrs. Headley's, next door, to which pleasure the young people looked forward in their different ways.
On Christmas-eve, while John, Hugh, and Alice were making and putting up the ivy and holly wreaths, Agnes and Minnie set forth on their errand of carrying the Christmas parcels to the poor people for whom they had prepared them; and when they came in, wet and cold, the others gathered round to know what they had done, and how the parcels had been received.
"It is bitterly cold to-night," said Agnes, coming forward to the fire; "you will let us get warm first, before we say a word, the wind blows through you."
"You should have let us go," said John. "I knew it was more fit for Hugh and me than for that little scrap of humanity!"
"But Minnie was promised," answered Agnes, "and I am very glad I went—very glad."
"So am I," answered Minnie earnestly.