Lucy Jane Bull and her sisters were quite old enough to understand a
good deal of grownup conversation when they overheard it. Thus, when a
friend of Mrs. Bull's observed, during an afternoon call, that she
believed that "officers wives were very dressy," the young ladies were
at once resolved to keep a sharp lookout for the Captain's wife's bonnet
in church on Christmas day.
The Bulls had just taken their seats when the Captain's wife came in.
They really would have hid their faces, and looked at the bonnet
afterwards, but for the startling sight that met the gaze of the
congregation. The old grandfather walked into the church abreast of the
Captain.
"They've met in the porch," whispered Mr. Bull, under the shelter of his
hat.
"They can't quarrel publicly in a place of worship," said Mrs. Bull,
turning pale.
"She's gone into his seat," cried Lucy Jane, in a shrill whisper.
"And the children after her," added the other sister, incautiously
aloud.
There was no doubt about the matter. The old man, in his blue cloak,
stood for a few moments politely disputing the question of precedence
with his handsome son-in-law. Then the Captain bowed and passed in, and
the old man followed him.
By the time that the service was ended everybody knew of the happy
peace-making, and was glad. One old friend after another came up with
blessings and good wishes. This was a proper Christmas, indeed, they
said. There was a general rejoicing.
But only the grandfather and his children knew that it was hatched from
"The Peace Egg."
_By a Bavarian Comrade._
"Over his tumbler of Gukguk he
sat reading journals, sometimes
contemplatively looking into
the clouds of his tobacco-pipe:
an agreeable phenomenon,--more
especially when he opened
his lips for speech."
_Carlyle._