I don't like the influence of it on others.

It is not in the line of the life I want to lead, and that we have all been trying to lead." "Well," said Gracie, "things will be settled now quietly, I hope." "I say," said John, "could not we start our little reading sociables, that were so pleasant last year?
You know we want to keep some little pleasant thing going, and draw Lillie in with us.

When a girl has been used to lively society, she can't come down to mere nothing; and I am afraid she will be wanting to rush off to New York, and visit the Follingsbees." "Well," said Grace, "Letitia and Rose were speaking the other day of that, and wanting to begin.

You know we were to read Froude together, as soon as the evenings got a little longer." "Oh, yes! that will be capital," said John.
"Do you think Lillie will be interested in Froude ?" asked Grace.
"I really can't say," said John, with some doubting of heart; "perhaps it would be well to begin with something a little lighter at first." "Any thing you please, John.

What shall it be ?" "But I don't want to hold you all back on my account," said John.
"Well, then again, John, there's our old study-club.