wn--talk about kissing! Dad was
the only one who escaped. When the hugging commenced he poked his head
under the flap of Kate's saddle and commenced unbuckling the girth.
Dad had been at such receptions before. But Sandy took it all meekly.
And the baby! (the dear little thing) they scrimmaged about it, and
mugged it, and fought for possession of it until Sandy became alarmed
and asked them to "Mind!"

Inside they sat and drank tea and talked about things that had happened
and things that had n't happened. Then they got back to the baby and
disagreed on the question of family likeness. Kate thought the
youngster was the dead image of Sandy about the mouth and eyes. Sal
said it had Dad's nose; while Mother was reminded of her dear old
grandmother every time the infant smiled. Joe ventured to think it
resembled Paddy Maloney far more than it did Sandy, and was told to run
away and put the calves in. The child was n't yet christened, and the
rest of the evening was spent selecting a name for it. Almost every
appellation under the sun was suggested and promptly rejected. They
could n't hit on a suitable one, and Kate would n't have anything that
was n't nice, till at last Dad thought of one that pleased
everybody--"Jim!"

After supper, Kate started playing the concertina, and the Andersons
and Maloneys and several others dropped in. Dad was pleased to see
them; he wished them all a merry Christmas, and they wished him the
same and many of them. Then the table was put outside, and the room
cleared for a dance. The young people took the floor and waltzed, I
dare say, for miles--their heads as they whirled around tossing the
green bushes that dangled from the rafters; while the old people, with
beaming faces, sat admiring them, and swaying their heads about and
beating time to the music by patting the floor with their feet.
Someone called out "Faster!" Kate gave it faster. Then to see them and
to hear the rattle of the boots upon the floor! You'd think they were
being carried away in a whirlwind. All but Sal and Paddy Maloney gave
up and leant against the wall, and puffed and mopped their faces and
their necks with their pocket-handkerchiefs.

Faster still went the music; faster whirled Sal and Paddy Maloney. And
Paddy was on his mettle. He was lifting Sal off her feet. But Kate
was showing signs of distress. She leaned forward, jerked her head
about, and tugged desperately at the concertina till both han