nd see here, Lexy. Day after tomorrow
is Christmas. Are we going to celebrate it at all? If so I'd better
order the turkey."

Alexina looked thoughtful. "I don't know, Stephen. We're short of
money, you know, and the fund is dwindling every day. Don't you think
it's a little extravagant to have a turkey for two people? And somehow
I don't feel a bit Christmassy. I think I'd rather spend it just like
any other day and try to forget that it _is_ Christmas. Everything
would be so different."

"That's true, Lexy. And we must look after the bawbees closely, I'll
admit." When Stephen had gone out Alexina cried a little, not very
much, because she didn't want her eyes to be red against Stephen's
return. But she had to cry a little. As she had said, everything was
so different from what it had been a year ago. Their father had been
alive then and they had been very cosy and happy in the little house
at the end of the street. There had been no mother there since
Alexina's birth sixteen years ago. Alexina had kept house for her
father and Stephen since she was ten. Stephen was a clever boy and
intended to study medicine. Alexina had a good voice, and something
was to be done about training it. The Tracys lived next door to them.
Duncan Tracy was Stephen's particular chum, and Josephine Tracy was
Alexina's dearest friend. Alexina was never lonely when Josie was near
by to laugh and chat and plan with.

Then, all at once, troubles came. In June the firm of which Mr. Falsom
was a member failed. There was some stigma attached to the failure,
too, although the blame did not rest upon Mr. Falsom, but with his
partner. Worry and anxiety aggravated the heart trouble from which he
had suffered for some time, and a month later he died. Alexina and
Stephen were left alone to face the knowledge that they were
penniless, and must look about for some way of supporting themselves.
At first they hoped to be able to get something to do in Thorndale, so
that they might keep their home. This proved impossible. After much
discouragement and disappointment Stephen had secured a position in
the lumber mill at Lessing, and Alexina was promised a place in a
departmental store in the city.

To make matters worse, Duncan Tracy and Stephen had quarrelled in
October. It was only a boyish disagreement over some trifle, but
bitter words had passed. Duncan, who was a quick-tempered lad, had
twitted Stephen with his father's failure, and Stephen had resent