!"

Virginia put an arm across Hannah's shoulders. "Now see what you've
done," she snapped at Nellie.

"Oh, I 'spect the Irish helped them," Nellie added magnanimously. "My
papa says the Irish are into every thing."

Not having to bear the ignominy alone Hannah was comforted. "What makes
you say prayers on the beads?" she asked.

"'Cause I want Santy to bring me a doll to-night. I wrote him 'bout
sixteen letters, and I'm going to say my rosary a dozen times to-day."

To-morrow was Christmas Day! Hannah's face fell. All her sorrows
returned with a rush. "Have you got any more of those beads?" she asked.

"Yes, but they wouldn't do you any good," Nellie answered with quick
understanding. "You're not a Catholic."

"Couldn't I be one?"

"Not unless you're baptized with holy water. The priest does it."

The leaven had begun to work.

"What did your mama say about asking Santa Claus to come?" Virginia
inquired, with a quick glance toward the beads.

Hannah shook her head, speechless. She compressed her lips into a tight
line with an effort at self-control, but two large tears rolled down her
cheeks and splashed on her scarlet coat. Again Virginia placed an arm
protectingly across Hannah's shoulder.

Nellie's bright blue eyes grew soft with pity. "I tell you what," she
exclaimed. "I'll baptize Hannah, then she'll be a Gentile, and Santa
Claus will come, no matter what. And when your mama sees how nice it is,
she won't care."

"But, you said a priest has to baptize anybody," objected Virginia.

"He does 'less it's a time of danger and you can't get any priest. Then
any Catholic can baptize anybody. My mama baptized our washerwoman's
little baby 'cause they knew it was going to die before Father Murphy
could get there. And ain't this a time of danger?"

"Nobody's dying." Virginia was distressingly literal.

Hannah looked from one friend to the other, hoping against hope.

"No, but there's danger Santa Claus won't come to see Hannah less'n
sump'n is done mighty quick," came Nellie's ready reply. "And can we get
a priest? You go get one, Virginia. Go get one."

Clearly there was no answer to this. The ceremony was set for early
afternoon when Grandmother Halloran took her nap and Nellie could borrow
the bottle of holy water from her shelf. As to the place, there were six
boys at the Hallorans' always in the way; Mrs. Lawrence had guests;
obviously the baptismal rite would have to be performed at Hannah's
home