m, and let the
others go."

Laine took up his cup of tea and drank it slowly. "Part of this is
hard to make out," he said, after a moment. "I can't see it very
well."

"All of it is hard." Claudia put a piece of cracker in her mouth.
"But it's a wonder she can write at all. The boys are as trifling as
their father, and she does the work of five people. Is that all?"

Laine began again. "Becky say she don't want nothin' but a pare of
silk stockings. She's crazy, but she seen the summer girls with 'em
and I don't reckon it will do no harm if we ain't pracktical at
krismus. It do seem like krismus ain't for prackticals. 40 cents is
her share.

"Sam he wants a harmonicum, and Bobbie he just set his hart on a
sled. I don't reckon you can get that in your trunk, and ifen you
can't a necktie will have to do. The other chillern is so small it
don't make no difference what you get for them, any little thing you
can pick up will please 'em. They is all so excited about havin'
presents from New York that they's plum crazy. I don't know what the
county would do without you, Miss Claudia. You is everybody's friend
and everybody is--"

Claudia put out her hand. "Oh, that part doesn't matter. I'll take
it now. We'll have to go. Are you ready?"

"Not quite." Laine, who had finished the letter, handed it to her,
then took out a note-book and pencil. "Are you sure you can remember
the things? Hadn't I better write them down?"

Claudia shook her head. "Not a bit of use. These are the last to
get, and then I'm through. Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Through."

"Through what?"

"With your Christmas things. I don't suppose men have as much to do
as women and don't have to begin so early. Some people don't love
Christmas. It's such a pity."

"It's a pity the old Christmas has given way to the new one. With
many it's a sort of hold-up. I don't believe in it."

Claudia's arms were folded on the table, and her eyes were gravely
looking into his. "What kind do you believe in?"

Into Laine's face the color crept slowly, then he laughed. "I really
don't know. I only know the present kind is wrong."

"You know a great many things that are wrong, don't you?"

"I'm afraid I do." With his handkerchief Laine wiped his glasses,
put them back, and again tapped the table. "That is, I know a great
many things that aren't nice to know."

"Most of us do. It isn't difficult to see what isn't nice in people