ome--Geoff won't think it's Christmas if you don't."

They went out into the hall. Flying feet came down the stairs, and
Wally was upon them.

"Merry Christmas, Norah!" He seized both her hands and pranced her
down the hall. "Always begin Christmas with a turkey-trot!" he
chanted.

"Begin, indeed!" said Norah, with a fine contempt. "I began mine
hours ago. Where have you been?"

"I have been--contemplating," said Wally, his brown eyes twinkling.
"No one called me."

"There's evidence to the contrary," Jim said, grinning. "It has been
stated that you called a perfectly blameless lady Judkins, and said
awful things to her."

"My Aunt!" said Wally. "I hope not--unless you talk pretty straight
to Judkins he doesn't notice you. That accounts for the frozen tea
and toast I found; I thought Father Christmas had put 'em there."

"Did you eat them?"

"Oh, yes--you should never snub a saint!" said Wally. "So now I don't
want any breakfast. Where are you two going?"

"To the cottage. Come along--but really, I do think you should eat a
decent breakfast, Wally."

"It will be dinner-time before we know where we are--and I feel that
Miss de Lisle's dinner will be no joke," said Wally. "So come along,
old house mother, and don't worry your ancient head about me." Each
boy seized one of Norah's hands and they raced across the lawn. David
Linton, looking at them from the dining-room window, laughed a little.

"Bless them--they're all babies again!" he thought.

The cottage was echoing with strange sounds; it might be inferred that
the stockings of the young Hunts had contained only bugles, trumpets
and drums. Eva, sweeping the porch, greeted the newcomers with a
friendly grin.

"Merry Christmas, Eva!"

"The sime to you," said Eva. "Ain't it a real cold morning? The
frorst's got me fingers a fair treat."

"No one minds frost on Christmas Day--it's the proper thing in this
queer country!" said Wally. "Was Father Christmas good to you, Eva?"

"Wasn't 'e! Not 'arf!" said Eva. "The children wouldn't 'ear of
anyfink but 'angin' up a stockin' for me--and I'm blowed if it wasn't
bang full this mornin'. And a post-card from me young man from the
Front; it's that saucy I wonder 'ow it ever passed the sentry! Well,
I do say as 'ow this place ain't brought us nuffink but luck!"

Geoffrey dashed out, equipped with a miniature Sam Brown belt with a
sword, and waving a bugle.

"Look! Father Christmas broug