ing! Mother was on the rampage
about her gloves this morning, and father's old smoking-jacket is
missing. Mother says it's a good thing, for it was disgracefully
shabby, but he loved it because it was so comfy, and we had such a fuss
searching all over the house. Christmas seems to put everything out of
gear."

"Oh, well, it's worth it! Think of the presents!" cried Jill gleefully.
She skipped downstairs, and, sitting down before the writing-table in
the drawing-room, pulled out a number of sheets of her mother's writing-
paper, on which she proceeded to indite a number of epistles, in which
words and spaces were curiously mingled.

"Dear Aunt Margaret,--Thank you so much for the beautiful ... It is
just what I wanted. It was so nice of you to send it to me. I think
it is ... I hope you are quite well, and not having asthma any
more,--Your loving niece,--

"Margaret."

"Darling Cousin Flo,--I am so awfully obliged to you for the lovely
... It is just what I wanted. I am so pleased to have it. It will
just do for ... I think Christmas is ripping, don't you? Please
write soon to Jill."

"Dear Mrs Gregory,--It is most kind of you to remember me with such a
nice present. The ... is just what I wanted. I am much obliged to
you for remembering me. Has not Christmas Day been ... this year?--I
am your loving little friend, Margaret Meredith Trevor."

"My own dear, darling Norah,--What an angel you are to send me that
perfectly ripping ... It is just exactly what I wanted, and I am so
proud to have it. Come round to-morrow and see my things. I've got
... altogether. Isn't that a lot? Don't you call this weather ...?--
Your own Jill."

She was scribbling away--the table littered with the finished
productions--when a hand fell on her shoulder and a stentorian voice
cried--

"Eh, what? Too busy to hear me come in, were you? What's the meaning
of this sudden industry?" and, starting up, she beheld the red, parrot-
like visage of General Digby bending over her. This was not by any
means the first visit which the General had paid in return for the "kind
enquiries." He was a lonely old man, and to spend a few minutes in the
cheery atmosphere of a family made a pleasant break in his daily
constitutional. Mrs Trevor was always pleased to welcome him, but as
she was aware that it was not herself but the children who were the
attraction, she did not hurry downstairs o