the dark-eyed
Julie hung over her with little affectionate attentions. The children
returned to their game.

"Well, what a time you had with little Dolly Scott!" said Julie,
sympathetically. "Ted's been getting it all mixed up! Tell us about
it. Poor old Mark, you're all in, aren't you? Mark, would you like a
cup of tea?"

"Love it!" Margaret said, a little surprised, for this luxury was
not common.

"And toast--we'll toast it!" said Theodore, enthusiastically.

"No, no--no tea!" said Mrs. Paget, coming in at this point with some
sewing in her hands. "Don't spoil your dinner, now, Mark dear; tea
doesn't do you any good. And I think Blanche is saving the cream for
an apple tapioca. Theodore, Mother wants you to go right downstairs
for some coal, dear. And, Julie, you'd better start your table; it's
close to six. Put up the game, Rebecca!"

There was general protest. Duncan, it seemed, needed only "two more"
to win. Little Robert, who was benevolently allowed by the other
children to play the game exactly as he pleased, screamed delightedly
that he needed only one more, and showed a card upon which even the
blank spaces were lavishly covered with glass. He was generously
conceded the victory, and kissed by Rebecca and Julie as he made his
way to his mother's lap.

"Why, this can't be Robert Paget!" said Mrs. Paget, putting aside her
sewing to gather him in her arms. "Not this great, big boy!"

"Yes, I am!" the little fellow asserted joyously, dodging her kisses.

"Good to get home!" Margaret said luxuriously.

"You must sleep late in the morning," her mother commanded
affectionately.

"Yes, because you have to be fresh for the party Monday!" exulted
Julie. She had flung a white cloth over the long table, and was
putting the ringed napkins down with rapid bangs. "And New Year's
Eve's the dance!" she went on buoyantly. "I just love Christmas,
anyway!"

"Rebecca, ask Blanche if she needs me,"--that was Mother.

"You'd go perfectly crazy about her, Ju, she's the most fascinating,
and the most unaffected woman!" Margaret was full of the day's real
event.

"And Mother theth that Ted and Dunc and I can have our friendth in
on the day after Chrithmath to thee the Chrithmath tree!" That was
Rebecca, who added, "Blanche theth no, Mother, unleth you want to
make thom cream gravy for the chopth!"

"And, Mark, Eleanor asked if Bruce and you and I weren't going as
Pierrot and Pierettes; she's simply crazy to find o