Falster uster come inter
the Black Cat when she'd had more than was good for her out of the
tea-pot, and recite yards of poetry standing on a chair and holding to
the top of the screen. There hasn't been a hint of such a thing since
then till--"

But _the_ moment had come. The moment when the heart leaped to meet its
desire. The moment when the desire materialized, and the soul asked no
more.

Workworn faces quivered with happiness. Things that vanity had yearned
for, but stern necessity had denied, were held now in trembling hands:
precious gifts that one _could_ do without, but were all the more sacred
for that reason. Jewelry and pretty bits of useless neckwear, and gauzy
handkerchiefs.

Useless? No. For they were to win admiration that was all but dead, and
give sodden women an incentive to live up to them.

Little hungry-hearted children hugged dolls so beautiful, yet so human,
that nothing more could be asked. Boys, awkward and red, shook like
leaves as they fumbled with "buzzum pins" and gorgeous ties and fancy
vests.

Sleds, skates and books abounded, and St. Ange, on that sacred day,
revelled in the superfluous and the long-denied.

Constance Drew came upon Billy later, while games were in wild progress
in the hall and study, seated in a dark corner of the dining room
weeping as if his heart would break over a be-flowered vest and a rich
red tie.

"Billy!"

"Yes'm." Billy was too far gone to make pretence.

"Don't you like--what you have?"

"Gosh! Yes."

"Are you happy, dear?" The gentlest of hands touched the red head.

"Happy?" Billy blubbered; "I'm busting with it."

"Billy!" and now Constance spoke slowly, impressively, "I want to tell
you--something. It's something we have all thought out. It is, perhaps,
another Christmas gift for you, dear. I--am--going--away!"

"Going away?" Poor Billy accepted this Christmas offering with horrified
anguish.

"Going--"

"Wait, Billy, boy. When Christmas is all over and done with, I am--going
back to my other--home until next--summer. But Billy--I want a part of
St. Ange with me"--her eyes shone--"I have--been--so happy here--so
glad--and so different. I want something to make me remember--if I ever
_could_ forget. Billy, I want you to come with me. There are schools
there, dear. Hard work, and a bigger life--but it will make a man of
you, Billy, if the thing is in you, that I believe _is_ in you. It's
your chance down there, Billy, your best chanc