to look rather uneasy.

"Wait and see," she advised. "It may not be as nice as you think it's
going to be."

With eager hands, Theodora unrolled the tissue papers, while the others
gathered round to see what was inside. Then there came a sudden hush of
surprise and consternation. Out from the papers had slipped a long,
soft braid of brown hair, and, with a startled sob, Theodora had buried
her face in her hands. The next instant, Hubert's hand descended on
Phebe's cheek with a ringing blow.

For a few moments, it seemed that the evening was to end in dismal
failure. Then Mrs. Farrington, with her arm about Theodora's waist,
marched her across the room to the basket to renew the drawing, and soon
the little incident was apparently forgotten. Later, when the merriment
was subsiding, Mrs. Farrington missed Theodora and went in search of
her. She found her in the library, standing alone before the open fire.

"It was too bad, dear," Mrs. Farrington said. "Phebe didn't realize what
she was doing, of course; but it was hard for you. But I want to thank
you for the pleasant evening and for the pleasant months Billy has had
with you. This little package was to go in the pie, to-morrow; but I
wanted instead to give it to you when we were alone, so I could say to
you how I appreciate all you have done for my boy."

And Theodora, as she looked at the little sapphire on her finger, felt
that not all the Phebes in creation could spoil her merry Christmas.

A week later, she went racing across the lawn to the Farringtons', with
a long brown bundle over her shoulder.

"Let me in quick, Patrick," she cried, as she dashed through the door.
"Happy New Year, Billy! I've brought you a New Year's present. I said I
must be the one to bring it, and papa is coming over in a few minutes to
teach you to use it." And, with a clatter and a bang, she cast a pair of
crutches on the floor at Billy's feet.

CHAPTER TEN

Billy sat in his chair before the McAlisters' front steps. Theodora sat
beside him on the steps, with her chin in her hands. Though it was late
in January, the midday sun was warm around them, and they were basking
in it like two young turtles.

"I know," Theodora was saying restively; "but I want to do something
really and truly useful, something that will help on the world. Here I
am, sixteen years old, and I've never been of the least use to anybody."

"How about me?" Billy suggested, luxuriously stretching and t