nd of death,--
I shall not hear him speak.

"I don't know why I like to write love poems, but most of the women
poets did. This one made me cry."

CHAPTER XIV

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Margaret in mauve velvet and violets, and Gertrude in a frock of smart
black and white were in the act of meeting by appointment at Sherry's
one December afternoon, with a comfortable cup of tea in mind.
Gertrude emerged from the recess of the revolving door and Margaret,
sitting eagerly by the entrance, almost upset the attendant in her
rush to her friend's side.

"Oh! Gertrude," she cried, "I'm so glad to see you. My family is
trying to cut me up in neat little quarters and send me north, south,
east and west, for the Christmas holidays, and I want to stay home and
have Eleanor. How did I ever come to be born into a family of giants,
tell me that, Gertrude?"

"The choice of parents is thrust upon us at an unfortunately immature
period, I'll admit," Gertrude laughed. "My parents are dears, but
they've never forgiven me for being an artist instead of a dubby bud.
Shall we have tea right away or shall we sit down and discuss life?"

"Both," Margaret said. "I don't know which is the hungrier--flesh or
spirit."

But as they turned toward the dining-room a familiar figure blocked
their progress.

"I thought that was Gertrude's insatiable hat," David exclaimed
delightedly. "I've phoned for you both until your families have given
instructions that I'm not to be indulged any more. I've got a surprise
for you.--Taxi," he said to the man at the door.

"Not till we've had our tea," Margaret wailed. "You couldn't be so
cruel, David."

"You shall have your tea, my dear, and one of the happiest surprises
of your life into the bargain," David assured her as he led the way to
the waiting cab.

"I wouldn't leave this place unfed for anybody but you, David, not if
it were ever so, and then some, as Jimmie says."

"What's the matter with Jimmie, anyhow?" David inquired as the taxi
turned down the Avenue and immediately entangled itself in a hopeless
mesh of traffic.

"I don't know; why?" Gertrude answered, though she had not been the
one addressed at the moment. "What's the matter with this hat?" she
rattled on without waiting for an answer. "I thought it was
good-looking myself, and Madam Paran robbed me for it."

"It is good-looking," David allowed. "It seems to be a kind of
retrieving hat, that's all. Keeps you in