Keep still,
everybody, please! Keep still, every one.

"Now we are going to sing the 'Adeste'--four verses. And then we'll give
out the presents. Listen, every one! We are going to sing the 'Adeste,'
and then give out the presents. The presents, of course, go only to our
own girls and boys, do you understand that? Listen, children, please!

"But we have a box of candy for every child here, whether that child
comes to any of the classes or not! So don't go home without your candy.
And don't come up for your present until you hear your name called, do
you understand that? If I see any child coming up before Miss Pierce
calls her name, I'll send her right back to her seat! Now, the 'Adeste,'
please!"

Jim had listened in intense amusement. How positive she was and how
authoritative! Her straight little back, her severe braids, her stern
blue eyes roving the hall as she touched the familiar chords, were all
so different from the vague young women who were Barbara's friends. She
played a few wandering chords after the distribution of gifts began,
watching the children file up the aisle, and listening, with only an
occasional lifting of her blue eyes to his face, to Doctor Studdiford's
smiling comments. Her heart was beating high under a flood of unsensed
joy, she did not know why--but she was happy beyond all words.

"I'm afraid I'll have to go help Miss Pierce and Miss Furey, Doctor,"
she said presently, standing up. "Our Miss Scott, who got married two
years ago, used to be a perfect wonder at times like this! Here, little
girl, little girl! You don't come to the classes, do you? No? Well,
then, go back to your seat and wait--you see!" She turned despairingly
to Jim. "You see, they're simply making a _mess_ of it!"

"I have to go, anyway," said Jim.

"Oh?" Julia turned surprised eyes toward him, and said the one thing she
meant to avoid. "But Mrs. Toland and Miss Barbara are coming," she
submitted.

"And what of it?" Jim said meaningly. It was his turn to say the awkward
thing. "How are the nerves these days?" he asked quickly.

Colour flooded Julia's face.

"Much better, thank you! I gave the tonic up weeks ago. It was just
nerves," explained Julia, "a sort of breakdown after we came back from
Cloverdale! And I'm so much obliged to you!" she ended shyly.

"Oh, not at all, not at all!" Jim protested gruffly. An unmanageable
silence hung between them for a few seconds; then Julia, with a murmured
excuse, went t