"Wine for New Year's! exclaimed Mrs. Sherman in unfeigned astonishment.
"Why yes, mother, Edward says our friends will expect it of us."
"I cannot consent to it," said Mrs. Sherman decidedly, "we shall have a plentiful supply of refreshments, and, Louise, I'm surprised that you should, in the remotest manner, give your sanction to your brother's foolish proposal."
"But, mother, said Louise, eagerly, "Edward says that it is pure domestic wine, and I don't see what harm that can do."
"It was pure domestic wine that made Noah drunk, my dear."
"O dear," said Louise rather impatiently, "I wish old Noah had never got drunk, if"—
Just then she happened to glance out of the window, and saw the doctor drive up, and consequently her frowns and Noah's sins were burried in oblivion, and a smile and a blush bloomed upon their tomb.
Louise had just done tying on her cap when the doctor appeared at the door, and, while he was exchanging civilities with her mother, she slipped out and ran to her brother whom she saw coming in the passage.
"We can't have it Ned," she whispered, "mother has set her foot down."
"Yes?"