heknowswhatgoodplumbingis.I\'mrathersurprisedyoudon\'tappreciatethat,Maude,you\'resoparticularastowhatkindofroomsthechildrenshallhave,andyouwantaschoolroom-nurserywithallthelatestdevices,withsunandventilation.TheBerringerswouldn\'thavehadhim,theHollistersandDickinsonswouldn\'thavehadhimifhisworklackedtaste.\"
\"AndNancywouldn\'thavehadhim,\"addedMaude,andshesmiledoncemore.
\"Well,Ihaven\'tconsultedNancy,oranyoneelse,\"Ireplied——alittletartly,perhaps.\"Youdon\'tseemtorealizethatsomefashionsmayhaveabasisofreason.Theyarenotallsilly,asLuciaseemstothink.IfLammertonbuildssatisfactoryhouses,heoughttobeforgivenforbeingthefashion,heoughttohaveachance.\"Igotuptoleave.\"Let\'sseewhatkindofaplanhe\'lldrawup,atanyrate.\"
Herglancewasalmostindulgent.
\"Ofcourse,Hugh.Iwantyoutobesatisfied,tobepleased,\"shesaid.
\"Andyou?\"Iquestioned,\"youaretoliveinthehousemorethanI.\"
\"Oh,I\'msureitwillturnoutallright,\"shereplied.\"Nowyou\'dbetterrunalong,Iknowyou\'relate.\"
\"Iamlate,\"Iadmitted,ratherlamely.\"Ifyoudon\'tcareforLammerton\'sdrawings,we\'llgetanotherarchitect.\"
SeveralyearsbeforeMr.LammertonhadarrivedamonguswithaBeauxArtsmoustacheandlettersofintroductiontoMrs.Durrettandothers.Wefoundhimthemostadaptable,themostaccommodatingofyoungmen,alwaysreadytodonatehistalentsandhisservicestoprivatetheatricals,tableaux,andfancy-dressballs,totakeaplaceatatableatthelastmoment.Oneofhismostappealingattributeswashis\"belief\"inourcity,——aformofpatriotismthatculminated,inlateryears,in\"millionpopulation\"clubs.Ihaveoftenheardhimdeclare,whentheladieshadleftthediningroom,thattherewaspositivelynolimittoourfuturegrowth;and,incidentally,toourfuturewealth.Suchsentimentsasthesecouldnotfailtoaddtoanyman\'spopularity,andhissuccesswasaforegoneconclusion.AlmostbeforeweknewithewasbuildingthenewUnionStationofwhichhehadforeseentheneed,totakecareofthemillionstowhichourpopulationwastobeswelled;buildingthenewPostOfficethattheunceasingeffortsofTheodoreWatlingfinallyprocuredforus:building,indeed,Nancy\'snewhouse,thelargestofourprivatemansionssaveMr.Scherer\'s,acommissionthathadimmediatelybroughtaboutothersfromtheDickinsonsandtheBerringersThatverydayI
calledonhiminhisofficesatthetopofoneofournewbuildings,wheremanyyoungdraftsmenwerebendingovertheirboards.Iwasusheredintohisprivatestudio.
\"Isupposeyouwantsomethinghandsome,Hugh,\"hesaid,lookingatmeoverhiscigarette,\"somethingcommensuratewiththesefeesIhearyouaregetting.\"
\"Well,Iwanttobecomfortable,\"Iadmitted.
WelunchedattheClubtogether,wherewetalkedovertherequirements.
Whenhecametodinnerthenextweekandspreadouthissketchontheliving-roomtableMaudedrewinherbreath.
\"Why,Hugh,\"sheexclaimedindismay,\"it\'sasbigas——asbigastheWhiteHouse!\"
\"Notquite,\"Ianswered,laughingwithArchie.\"Wemayaswelltakeoureaseinouroldage.\"
\"Takeourease!\"echoedMaude.\"We\'llrattle\'roundinit.I\'llnevergetusedtoit.\"
\"Afteramonth,Mrs.Paret,I\'llwageryou\'llbewonderinghowyouevergotalongwithoutit,\"saidArchie.
ItwasnotasbigastheWhiteHouse,yetitcouldnotbecalledsmall.
Ihadseen,tothat.Thelongfacadewasimposing,dignified,withatouchofconventionalityandsolidityinkeepingwithmystandinginthecity.ItwasGeorgian,ofplum-colouredbrickwithmarbletrimmingsandmarblewedgesovertheamplewindows,someyearslaterIsawthehousebyFerguson,ofNewYork,fromwhichArchiehadcribbedit.Atoneend,offthedining-room,wasasemicircularconservatory.Therewasasmallportico,withmarblepillars,andintheample,swiftslopingroofmanydormers;servants\'rooms,Archieexplained.ThelookofanxietyonMaude\'sfacedeepenedashewentoverthefloorplans,thereception-room;
diningroomtoseatthirty,theservants\'hall;andupstairsMaude\'sroom,boudoirandbathanddresscloset,my\"apartments\"adjoiningononesideandthechildren\'sontheother,andtheguest-roomswithbaths
Maudesurrendered,asonewhogiveswaytotheinevitable.Whentheactualbuildingbeganwebothofusexperienced,Ithink;acertainmildexcitement;andwalkedoutthere,sometimeswiththechildren,inthespringevenings,andonSundayafternoons.\"Excitement\"is,perhaps,toostrongawordformyfeelings:therewasapleasurableanticipationonmypart,alookingforwardtoamoredecorous,amoreluxuriousexistence;acertainimpatienceatthedelaysinevitableinbuilding.Butanewlegalcommercialenterpriseofmagnitudebegantoabsorbmeathistime,andsomehowthebuildingofthishome——thefirstthatwepossessedwasnottheeventitshouldhavebeen;thereweremomentswhenIfeltcheated,whenIwonderedwhathadbecomeofthatcapacityforenjoymentwhichinmyyouthhadbeensokeen.Irememberindeed,onegreyeveningwhenI
wenttherealone,aftertheworkmenhaddeparted,andstoodinthelitterofmortarandbricksandboardsgazingatthecompletedfrontofthehouse.ItwasevenlargerthanIhadimagineditfromtheplans;intheSummertwilighttherewasanairaboutit,——ifnotpreciselymenacing,atleastportentous,withitsgapingwindowsandtoweringroof.Iwasalittletiredfromahardday;Ihadtheoddfeedingofhavingraisedupsomethingwithwhich——momentarilyatleast——Idoubtedmyabilitytocope:
somethinghuge,impersonal;somethingthatoughttohaverepresentedafireside,asanctuary,andyetwastheembodimentofanelementquitealientothehome;arestlesselementwithwhichourAmericanatmospherehad,byinvisibledegrees,becomecharged.AsIstaredatit,theoddfancyseizedmethatthebuildingsomehowtypifiedmyowncareerI
hadgainedsomething,intruth,buthadInotalsomissedsomething?
somethingadifferenthomewouldhaveembodied?
Maudeandthechildrenhadgone,totheseaside.
WithavagueuneasinessIturnedawayfromthecontemplationofthosewalls.Thecompanionmansionswereclosed,theirblindstightlydrawn;
theneighbourhoodwasasquietasthecountry,saveforaslightbutpersistentnoisethatimpresseditselfonmyconsciousness.Iwalkedaroundthehousetospyinthebackyard;ayounggirlratherstealthilygatheringlaths,andfragmentsofjoistsandflooring,andloadingthemintoachild\'sexpress-wagon.Shestartedwhenshesawme.Shewaslittle,morethanachild,andtheloosecalicodresssheworeseemedtoemphasizeherthinness.Shestoodstock-still,staringatmewithfrightenedyetdefianteyes.I,too,feltastrangetimidityinherpresence.
\"Whydoyoustop?\"Iaskedatlength.
\"Say,isthisyourheap?\"shedemanded.
Iacknowledgedit.Ahintofawewidenedhereyes.Thensiteglancedatthehalf-filledwagon.
\"Thisstuffain\'tnousetoyou,isit?\"
\"No,I\'mgladtohaveyoutakeit.\"
Sheshiftedtotheotherfoot,butdidnotcontinuehergathering.Animpulseseizedme,Iputdownmywalkingstickandbeganpickinguppiecesofwood,flingingthemintothewagon.Ilookedatheragain,ratherfurtively;shehadnotmoved.Herattitudepuzzledme,foritwasoneneitherofsurprisenorofprotest.Thespectacleofthe\"millionaire\"
ownerofthehouseengagedinthismenialoccupationgavehernothrills.
Ifinishedtheloading.
\"There!\"Isaid,anddrewadollarbilloutofmypocketandgaveittoher.Eventhenshedidnotthankme,buttookupthewagontongueandwentoff,leavingonmeadishearteningimpressionofnumbness,oflifecrushedout.IglanceduponcemoreatthemansionIhadbuiltformyselfloominginthedusk,andwalkedhurriedlyaway
Oneafternoonsomethreeweeksafterwehadmovedintothenewhouse,I
cameoutoftheClub,whereIhadbeenlunchinginconferencewithSchererandtwocapitalistsfromNewYork.Itwasafterfouro\'clock,thedaywasfading,thestreetlampswerebeginningtocastsicklystreaksofjade-colouredlightacrosstheslushofthepavements.Itwasthesightofthisslushwhichforabriefhalfhourthatmorninghadbeenpuresnow,andhadsentMatthewandMoretonandBiddyintoecstasiesatthenotionofa\"realChristmas\",thatbroughttomymindtheimmanenceofthefestival,andthefactthatIhadasyetboughtnopresents.SuchwasthepredicamentinwhichIusuallyfoundmyselfonChristmaseve;anditwasnotwithoutacertainsenseofannoyanceatthetaskthusabruptlyconfrontingmethatIgotintomyautomobileanddirectedthechauffeurtotheshoppingdistrict.Thecrowdssurgedalongthewetsidewalksandoverflowedintothestreet,andovertheheadsofthepeopleIstaredattheblazingshop-windowsdeckedoutinChristmasgreens.Mychauffeur,abristly-hairedParisian,blewhishorninsolently,menandwomenjostledeachothertogetoutoftheway,theirholidaymoodgivingplacetoresentmentastheystaredintothewindowsofthelimousine.WiththeAmericaninabilitytositstillIshiftedfromonecorneroftheseattoanother,impatientattheslowprogressofthemachine:andIfeltacertaincontemptforhumanbeings,thattheyshouldmakeallthisfuss,burdenthemselveswithallthesesenselesspurchases,foratradition.Theautomobilestopped,andIfoughtmywayacrossthesidewalkintothestoreofthattime-honouredfirm,Elgin,YatesandGarner,pausinguncertainlybeforetheverycounterwhere,sometenyearsbefore,Ihadboughtanengagementring.YoungMr.Garnerhimselfspiedme,andhandingoveracustomertoatiredclerk,hurriedforwardtogreetme,hismannerimplyingthatmyentrancewasinsomesortanevent.Ihadbecomeusedtothisaromaofdeference.
\"WhatcanIshowyou,Mr.Paret?\"heasked.
\"Idon\'tknow——I\'mlookingaround,\"Isaid,vaguely,bewilderedbytheglitteringbaublesbywhichIwasconfronted.WhatdidMaudewant?
WhileIwasgazingintothecase,Mr.Garneropenedasafebehindhim,layingbeforemealargesapphiresetwithdiamondsinaplatinumbrooch;
abeautifulstone,inthedepthsofitgleamingafirelikeastarinanarcticsky.IhadnotgivenMaudeanythingofvalueoflate.Decidedly,thiswasofvalue;Mr.Garnernamedthepriceglibly;ifMrs.Paretdidn\'tcareforit,itmightbebroughtbackorexchanged.Itookit,withasighofrelief.Leavingthestore,Ipausedontheedgeoftherushingstreamofhumanity,withtheproblemofthechildren\'sgiftsstilltobesolved.Ithoughtofmyownchildhood,whenatChristmastideIhadwalkedwithmymotherupanddownthisverystreet,sochangedandmodernizednow;recallingthatIhadhaddefinitedesires,desperateones;butmyimaginationfailedmewhenItriedtosummonuptheemotionsconnectedwiththem.Ihadnodesiresnow:Icouldbuyanythinginreasoninthewholestreet.WhatdidMatthewandMoretonwant?andlittleBiddy?Maudehadnot\"spoiled\"them;buttheydidn\'tseemtohaveanydefinitewants.Thechildrenmademethink,withasuddensoftening,ofTomPeters,andIwentintoatobacconist\'sandboughthimaboxofexpensivecigars.ThenItoldthechauffeurtotakemetoatoy-shop,whereIstoodstaringthroughaplate-glasswindowattheelaborateplaythingsdevisedforthemodernchildrenofluxury.Inthecentrewasatoyman-of-war,threefeetinlength,withturretsandguns,andpropellersandarealsteam-engine.AsaboyIshouldhavedreamedaboutit,schemedforit,barteredmyimmortalsoulforit.But——ifIgaveittoMatthew,whatwasthereforMoreton?Asteamlocomotivecaughtmyeye,almostaselaborate.Forcingmywaythroughthedoors,Icapturedasalesman,andfromastateborderingonnervouscollapsehebecamegalvanizedintoanintensealertnessandrespectwhenheunderstoodmydesires.Hedidn\'tknowthepriceoftheobjectsinquestion.Hebroughttheproprietor,anobsequiouslittleGermanwho,onlearningmyname,repeateditineverysentence.ForBiddyIchoseadollthatwasallbuthuman;whenheldbyayoungwomanformyinspection,itelicitedmurmursofadmirationfromthewomenshoppersbywhomweweresurrounded.
Theproprietorpromisedtomakeaspecialdeliveryofthethreearticlesbeforeseveno\'clock
Presentlytheautomobile,afterspeedinguptheasphaltofGrantAvenue,stoppedbeforethenewhouse.Inspiteofthechangethathousehadmadeinmylife,inthreeweeksIhadbecomeamazinglyusedtoit;yetIhadanoddfeelingthatChristmaseveasIstoodundertheporticowithmykeyinthedoor,thesamefeelingoftheimpersonalityoftheplacewhichIhadexperiencedbefore.NotthatforonemomentIwouldhaveexchangeditforthesmallerhousewehadleft.Iopenedthedoor.Howoften,inthatotherhouse,Ihadcomeintheeveningseekingquiet,mybrainoccupiedwithaproblem,onlytobeannoyedbytherompingofthechildrenonthelandingabove.Anoiseinoneendofitechoedtotheother.Buthere,asIenteredthehall,allwasquiet:adignified,deep-carpetedstairwaysweptupwardbeforeme,andoneithersidewerewide,emptyrooms;andinthesubduedlightofoneofthemIsawadarkfiguremovingsilentlyabout——thebutler.Hecameforwardtorelieveme,deftly,ofmyhatandovercoat.Well,Ihaditatlast,thisestablishmenttowhichIhadforsolonglookedforward.Andyetthatevening,asIhesitatedinthehall,Isomehowwasunabletograspthatitwasrealandpermanent,theverysolidityofthewallsanddoorsparadoxicallysuggestedtransientness,thebutleraflittingghost.Howstilltheplacewas!Almostoppressivelystill.Irecalledoddlyastoryofapeasantwho,yearningforthegreatlife,hadstumbleduponanemptypalace,itstablessetwithfoodingoldendishes.Beforetwodayshadpassedhehadfledfromitinhorrorbacktohiscrowdedcottageandhisdrudgeryinthefields.Neveroncehadthesenseofpossessionofthepalacebeenrealized.NordidIfeelthatIpossessedthishouse,thoughIhadthedeedsofitinmysafeandthereceiptedbillsinmyfiles.Iteludedme;seemed,inmy,bizarremoodofthatevening,almosttomockme.\"Youhavebuiltme,\"itseemedtosay,\"butIamstrongerthanyou,becauseyouhavenotearnedme.\"Ridiculous,whentheyearsofmylabourandthesizeofmybankaccountwereconsidered!Such,however,istheverbalexpressionofmyfeeling.Wasthehouseempty,afterall?Hadsomethinghappened?WithaslightpanickysensationI
climbedthestairs,withtheirendlessshallowtreads,:tohurrythroughthesilenthallwaytotheschoolroom.Reassuringnoisescamefaintlythroughtheheavydoor.Iopenedit.LittleBiddywascareeningroundandround,cryingout:——
\"To-morrow\'sChris\'mas!SantaClausiscomingtonight.\"
Matthewwasregardingherindulgently,sympathetically,Moretonratherscornfully.Themythhadbeenexplodedforboth,butMatthewstillhuggedit.Thatwasthedifferencebetweenthem.Maude,seatedonthefloor,perceivedmefirst,andglancedupatmewithasmile.
\"It\'sfather!\"shesaid.
Biddystoppedinthemidstofapirouette.Attheageofsevenshewasstillshywithme,andretreatedtowardsMaude.
\"Aren\'twegoingtohaveatree,father?\"demandedMoreton,aggressively.
\"Motherwon\'ttellus——neitherwillMissAllsop.\"
MissAllsopwastheirgoverness.
\"Whydoyouwantatree?\"Iasked.
\"Oh,forBiddy,\"hesaid.
\"Itwouldn\'tbeChristmaswithoutatree,\"Matthewdeclared,\"——andSantaClaus,\"headded,forhissister\'sbenefit.
\"PerhapsSantaClaus,whenheseeswe\'vegotthisbighouse,willthinkwedon\'tneedanything,andgoontosomepoorerchildren,\"saidMaude.
\"Youwouldn\'tblamehimifhedidthat,——wouldyou?\"
Theresponsetothisappealcannotbesaidtohavebeenenthusiastic
Afterdinner,whenatlastallofthemwereinbed,wedressedthetree;
itmightbetterbesaidthatMaudeandMissAllsopdressedit,whileI
gaveaperfunctoryaid.Boththewomentooksuchajoyintheprocess,vyingwitheachotheringettingeffects,andasIwatchedthemeagerlydrapingthetinselandpinningontheglitteringornamentsIwonderedwhyitwasthatIwasunabletofindthesamejoyasthey.ThusithadbeeneveryChristmaseve.IwasalwaystiredwhenIgothome,andafterdinnerrelaxationsetin.
Anelectricianhadcomewhilewewereatthetable,andhadfastenedonthelittleelectricbulbswhichdiddutyascandles.
\"Oh,\"saidMaude,asshestoodofftosurveytheeffect,\"isn\'titbeautiful!Come,MissAllsop,let\'sgetthepresents.\"
Theyflewoutoftheroom,andpresentlyhurriedbackwiththeirarmsfulloftheusualparcels:parcelsfromMaude\'sfamilyinElkington,frommyownrelatives,fromtheBlackwoodsandthePeterses,fromNancy.InthemeantimeIhadhadmyowncontributionsbroughtup,themanofwar,thelocomotive,thebigdoll.Maudestoodstaring.
\"Hugh,they\'llbeutterlyruined!\"sheexclaimed.
\"Theboysmightaswellhavesomethinginstructive,\"Ireplied,\"andasforBiddy——nothing\'stoogoodforher.\"
\"Imighthaveknownyouwouldn\'tforgetthem,althoughyouaresobusy.\"
Wefilledthethreestockingshungbythegreatfireplace.Then,withalastlingeringlookatthebrightnessofthetree,shestoodinthedoorwayandturnedtheelectricswitch.
\"Notbeforesevento-morrowmorning,MissAllsop,\"shesaid.\"Hugh,youwillgetup,won\'tyou?Youmustn\'tmissseeingthem.Youcangobacktobedagain.\"
Ipromised.
Evidently,thiswasRealitytoMaude.Andhaditnotbeenoneofmydreamsofmarriage,thispreparingforthechildren\'sChristmas,rememberingthefiercedesiresofmyownchildhood?Itstruckme,afterIhadkissedhergoodnightandretiredtomydressing-room,thatfiercedesiresburnedwithinmestill,buttheobjectstowardswhichtheirflamesleapedoutdiffered.Thatwasall.HadIremainedachild,sincemyideaofpleasurewasstillthatofyouth?Thecravingfarexcitement,adventure,wasstillunslaked;thecravingfarfreedomaskeenasever.
Duringthewholeofmymarriedlife,Ihadbeenconsciousofaninnerprotestagainst\"settlingdown,\"asTomPetershadsettleddown.Thesmallerhousefromwhichwehadmoved,withitsenforcedpropinquity,hardemphasizedthebondageofmarriage.NowIhadtworoomstomyself,intheundisputedpossessionofwhichIhadtakenapueriledelight.Ononesideofmydressing-roomArchieLammertonhadprovidedahugeclosetcontainingthelatestdevicesforthekeepingofamultitudinouswardrobe;therewasareading-lamp,andtheeasiestofeasy-chairs,importedfromEngland,whilebetweenthewindowswereshelvesofItalianwalnutwhichIhadfilledwiththebooksIhadboughtwhileatCambridge,andhadneversinceopened.AsIsankdowninmychairthatoddfeelingofuneasiness,oftransienceandunreality,ofunsatisfactionIhadhadeversincewehadmovedsuddenlybecameintensified,andattheverymomentwhenIhadgainedeverythingIhadoncebelievedamancoulddesire!Iwassuccessful,Iwasrich,myhealthhadnotfailed,Ihadawifewhocateredtomywishes,lovablechildrenwhogavenotroubleandyet——therewasstillthevoidtobefilled,theoldvoidIhadfeltasaboy,thelongingforsomethingbeyondme,Iknewnotwhat;therewasthestrangeinabilitytotasteanyofthesethings,theneedateveryturnforexcitement,forastimulus.Mymarriagehadbeenadisappointment,thoughIstrovetoconcealthisfrommyself;adisappointmentbecauseithadnotfilledtherequirementsofmycategory——excitementandmystery:I
hadprovidedthesettingandlackedthehappiness.AnotherwomanNancy——
mighthavegivenmetheneededstimulation;andyetmythoughtsdidnotdwellonNancythatnight,mylongingswerenotdirectedtowardsher,buttowardsthevisionofacalm,contentedmarriedhappinessIhadlookedforwardtoinyouth,——avisionsuddenlypresentedoncemorebythesightofMaude\'ssimplepleasureindressingtheChristmastree.Whatrestless,fiendishelementinmepreventedmyenjoyingthat?Ihadsomethingofthefearfulfeelingofaghostinmyownhouseandamongmyownfamily,ofaspiritdoomedtowander,unabletoshareinwhatshouldhavebeenmyown,inwhatwouldhavesavedmewereIabletopartakeofit.Wasittoolatetomakethateffort?Presentlythestrainsofmusicpervadedmyconsciousness,thechimesofTrinityringingoutinthedampnighttheChristmashymn,AdesteFideles.ItwasmidnightitwasChristmas.Howclearthenotesrangthroughthewetairthatcameinatmywindow!Backintothedimcenturiesthatmusicledme,intocandle-
litGothicchapelsofmonasteriesonwind-sweptheightsabovethefirs,andcathedralsinmediaevalcities.Twilightagesofwarandscourgeandstressandstorm——andfaith.\"Oh,come,allyeFaithful!\"Whatastrangething,thatfaithwhoseflamesomarvellouslypersisted,piercingthegloom;theChristmasmyth,asIhadheardsomeoneoncecallit.Diditpossessthepowertosaveme?Savemefromwhat?Ah,inthishourI
knew.InthedarknesstheDangerloomedupbeforeme,vagueyetterrible,andItrembled.WhywasnotthisThingeverpresent,tochastenandsoberme?TheThingwasmyself.
Intomyremembrance,bywhatsuggestionIknownot,camethatMarcheveningwhenIhadgonetoHolderChapelatHarvardtolistentoapreacher,apersonalitywhosefameandinfluencehadsincespreadthroughouttheland.Somedimfearhadpossessedmethen.Irecalledvividlytheman,andthefaceofHermannKrebsasIdrewbackfromthedoorway
WhenIawokemydisquieting,retrospectivemoodhaddisappeared,andyetthereclungtome,minusthesanctionoffearorrewardorrevealedtruth,acertaindeterminationtobehave,onthisdayatleast,morelikeafatherandahusband:tomakeanefforttoenterintothespiritofthefestival,andseewhathappened.Idressedincheerfulhaste,tookthesapphirependantfromitsvelvetbox,tiptoedintothestillsilentschoolroomandhungitonthetree,floodingontheelectriclightthatsetthetinselandglobesablaze.NosoonerhadIdonethisthanIheardthepatteroffeetinthehallway,andahigh-pitchedvoice——Biddy\'s——
cryingout:——
\"It\'sSantaClaus!\"
Threesmall,flannel-wrapperedfiguresstoodinthedoorway.
\"Why,it\'sfather!\"exclaimedMoreton.
\"Andhe\'salldressed!\"saidMatthew.
\"Oh-h-h!\"criedBiddy,staringattheblazingtree,\"isn\'titbeautiful!\"
Maudewasclosebehindthem.Shegaveanexclamationofdelightedsurprisewhenshesawme,andthenstoodgazingwithshiningeyesatthechildren,especiallyatBiddy,whostooddazzledbythegloryoftheconstellationconfrontingherMatthew,too,wishedtoprolongthemomentofmystery.ItwasthepracticalMoretonwhocried:——
\"Let\'sseewhatwe\'vegot!\"
Theassaultandthesackingbegan.Icouldn\'thelpthinkingasIwatchedthemofmyownwildlyriotous,Christmas-morningsensations,whenallthegiftshadworntheauraofthesupernatural;butthearrivalofthesetoyswaslookeduponbymychildrenasapartofthenaturalorderoftheuniverse.AtMaude\'ssuggestionthenightbeforewehadplacedmypresents,piecesderesistance,atadistancefromthetree,inthehopethattheywouldnotbespiedatonce,thattheywouldbeinsomesortaclimax.ItwasMatthewwhofirstperceivedtheship,andidentifiedit,bythecard,ashisproperty.Tohimitwasclearlywonderful,butnomiracle.Hedidnotcryout,orcalltheattentionoftheotherstoit,butstoodwithhisfeetapart,examiningit,hisfirstremarkbeingaqueryastowhyitdidn\'tflytheAmericanflag.It\'sensignwasBritish.ThenMoretonsawthelocomotive,wastoldthatitwashis,andtookpossessionofitviolently.Whywasn\'ttheremoretrack?Wouldn\'tIgetmoretrack?Iexplainedthatitwouldgobysteam,andhebeganunscrewingthecaponthelittleboileruntilhewasdistractedbytheman-of-war,andwithnaturalacquisitivenessstartedtotakepossessionofthat.Biddywasbewilderedbythedoll,whichMaudehadtakenupandwasholdinginherlap.Shehadhadtalkingdollsbefore,anddollsthatclosedtheireyes;sherecognizedthisone,indeed,asasortofsuper-
doll,butherlittlemindwasmodern,too,andsetnolimitsonwhatmightbeaccomplished.Shepattedit,butwasmoreimpressedbytherapturesofMissAllsop,whohadcomeinandwasadmiringitwithsomeextravagance.Suddenlythechildcaughtsightofherstocking,untilnowforgotten,anddartedforthefireplace.
IturnedtoMaude,whostoodbesideme,watchingthem.
\"Butyouhaven\'tlookedonthetreeyourself,\"Iremindedher.
Shegavemeanodd,questioningglance,andgotupandsetdownthedoll.
Asshestoodforamomentgazingatthelights,sheseemedverygirlishinherdressing-gown,withherhairintwolongplaitsdownherback.
\"Oh,Hugh!\"Sheliftedthependantfromthebranchandhelditup.Hergratitude,herjoyatreceivingapresentwasdeeperthanthechildren\'s!
\"Youchoseitforme?\"
IfeltsomethinglikeapangwhenIthoughthowlittletroubleithadbeen.
\"Ifyoudon\'tlikeit,\"Isaid,\"orwishtohaveitchanged——\"
\"Changed!\"sheexclaimedreproachfully.\"DoyouthinkI\'dchangeit?
Only——it\'smuchtoovaluable——\"
IsmiledMissAllsopdeftlyundidtheclaspandhungitaroundMaude\'sneck.
\"Howitsuitsyou,Mrs.Paret!\"shecried
ThispendantwasbynomeanstheonlypresentIhadgivenMaudeinrecentyears,andthoughshecaredaslittleforjewelsasfordresssheseemedtoattachtoitapeculiarvalueandsignificancethatdisturbedandsmoteme,fortheincidenthadrevealedaloveunchangedandunchangeable.Hadshetakenmygiftasasignthatmyindifferencewasmelting?