t of Wally and Harry the tree
speedily became stripped of its burden; Father Christmas directing
their labours in a voice that plainly had its training on the
barrack-square. Eva watched him admiringly.

"Ain't the Captin a trick!" she murmured, hugging her parcels to her.

The last package came down, and Father Christmas slipped away,
disappearing behind a screen with a flourish that revealed an
immaculate brown leather gaiter under the cotton-wool snow bordering
his red cloak; and presently Jim sauntered out, slightly flushed.

"Oh, you silly!" said Geoffrey. "Where _ever_ have you been? You've
missed ole Father Christmas!"

"I never did have any luck," Jim said dolefully.

"Never mind--he's left heaps and heaps of parcels for you. I'll help
you open them," said Geoffrey kindly.

The gong summoned them to tea; and afterwards it was time to take the
children home, happy and sleepy. Jim tossed Alison up on his
shoulder, and, with Geoffrey clinging to his other hand, and Michael
riding Wally pick-a-back, Norah and the boys escorted the Hunts back
to the cottage.

"You're coming over again, of course?" Jim said. "We're going to
dance to-night."

"Oh yes; we're getting a terribly frivolous old couple," said Mrs.
Hunt, laughing. "But Christmas leave only comes once a year,
especially when there's a war on!"

"I think she needs a rest-cure!" said her husband, knitting his brows
over this remarkable statement. "Come in and lie down for awhile, or
you won't be coherent at all by to-night; Eva and I will put the
babies to bed."

"Can't I help?" Norah asked.

"No--you're off duty to-night. You've really no idea how handy I am!"
said Major Hunt modestly.

"Then we'll see you later on," Norah said, disentangling Michael from
her neck. "Good-night, Michael, darling; and all of you."

"We've had a lovely time!" Geoffrey said.

"I'm so glad," Norah said, smiling at him. The cottage-door closed,
and they turned back.

"I've had a lovely time, too!" she said. "There never was such a
Christmas!"

"Never!" Jim said. "I believe that five months in Germany was worth
it."

"No!" said Wally sharply.

"No, it wasn't," Norah agreed. "But now--it helps one to forget."

They came slowly across the frozen lawn. Before them Homewood loomed
up, little beams of warm light coming from its shuttered windows.
Then the door opened wide, letting out a flood of radiance; and in it
stood David Linton, looking out