But she made up her mind that if Lady Julia could not be induced to spare her for the future, she and Lady Julia must quarrel.

"No one can understand," she said to her mother that evening, "how dreadful it is,--this being constantly told before one's family and friends that one ought to marry a certain young man." "She didn't say that, my dear." "I should much prefer that she should, for then I could get up on my legs and answer her off the reel." Of course everybody there understood what she meant,--including old John Bates, who stood at the sideboard and coolly drank the toast himself.
"He always does that to all the family toasts on Christmas Day.

Your uncle likes it." "That wasn't a family toast, and John Bates had no right to drink it." After dinner they all played cards,--a round game,--and the squire put in the stakes.

"Now, Grace," said Lily, "you are the visitor and you must win, or else uncle Christopher won't be happy.

He always likes a young lady visitor to win." "But I never played a game of cards in my life." "Go and sit next to him and he'll teach you.