ed it
hotly. Duncan was sorry for and ashamed of his words as soon as they
were uttered, but he would not humble himself to say so. Alexina had
taken Stephen's part and her manner to Josie assumed a tinge of
coldness. Josie quickly noticed and resented it, and the breach
between the two girls widened almost insensibly, until they barely
spoke when they met. Each blamed the other and cherished bitterness
in her heart.

When Stephen came home from the post office he looked excited.

"Were there any letters?" asked Alexina.

"Well, rather! One from Uncle James!"

"Uncle James," exclaimed Alexina, incredulously.

"Yes, beloved sis. Oh, you needn't try to look as surprised as I did.
And I ordered the turkey after all. Uncle James has invited himself
here to dinner on Christmas Day. You'll have a chance to show your
culinary skill, for you know we've always been told that Uncle James
was a gourmand."

Alexina read the letter in a maze. It was a brief epistle, stating
that the writer wished to make the acquaintance of his niece and
nephew, and would visit them on Christmas Day. That was all. But
Alexina instantly saw a future of rosy possibilities. For Uncle James,
who lived in the city and was really a great-uncle, had never taken
the slightest notice of their family since his quarrel with their
father twenty years ago; but this looked as if Uncle James were
disposed to hold out the olive branch.

"Oh, Stephen, if he likes you, and if he offers to educate you!"
breathed Alexina. "Perhaps he will if he is favourably impressed. But
we'll have to be so careful, he is so whimsical and odd, at least
everybody has always said so. A little thing may turn the scale either
way. Anyway, we must have a good dinner for him. I'll have plum
pudding and mince pie."

For the next thirty-six hours Alexina lived in a whirl. There was so
much to do. The little house was put in apple pie order from top to
bottom, and Stephen was set to stoning raisins and chopping meat and
beating eggs. Alexina was perfectly reckless; no matter how big a hole
it made in their finances Uncle James must have a proper Christmas
dinner. A favourable impression must be made. Stephen's whole
future--Alexina did not think about her own at all just then--might
depend on it.

Christmas morning came, fine and bright and warm. It was more like a
morning in early spring than in December, for there was no snow or
frost, and the air was moist and balmy. Alexina w