CHAPTER IV.

THE NEW YEAR'S PRESENT.





"HAPPY New Year!" was Jack's salutation to Aunt Rachel, as, with an
unhappy expression of countenance, she entered the sitting-room.

"Happy, indeed!" she repeated, dismally. "There's great chance of
its being so, I should think. We don't any of us know what the year
may bring forth. We may all be dead before the next New Year."

"If that's the case, said Jack, "we'll be jolly as long as it
lasts."

"I don't know what you mean by such a vulgar word," said Aunt
Rachel, disdainfully. "I've heard of drunkards and such kind of
people being jolly; but, thank Providence, I haven't got to that
yet."

"If that was the only way to be jolly," said Jack, stoutly, "then
I'd be a drunkard; I wouldn't carry round such a long face as you
do, Aunt Rachel, for any money."

"It's enough to make all of us have long faces, when you are brazen