itched badly. "The way of love is the way of life. If she will marry
you--God bless you, I will say. It's women like Frances the work we're
in is needing. But it's women like her that men need, too. She's out,
but she asked me to wish you a very happy Christmas."

CHAPTER XIII

"A very happy Christmas!" Van Landing smiled. "How can I have it
without--When can I see her, Mother McNeil?"

At the open door Mother McNeil turned. "She has some shopping to do.
Yesterday two more families were turned over to us. Sometimes she gets
lunch at the Green Tea-pot on Samoset Street. She will be home at
four. The children come at eight, and the tree is to be dressed before
they get here." A noise made her look around. "Carmencita,--you are
out of breath, child! It's never you will learn to walk, I'm fearing!"

Carmencita, who had run down the hall as one pursued, stopped, pulled
up her stocking, and made effort to fasten it to its supporter.
"Christmas in my legs," she said. "Can't expect feet to walk on
Christmas eve. I've got to tell him something, Mother McNeil. Will
you excuse me, please, if I tell him by himself?"

Coming inside the room, Carmencita pulled Van Landing close to her and
closed the door, and for half a minute paused for breath.

"It was Her. It was Miss Barbour at the telephone, and she says I must
meet her at the Green Tea-pot at two o'clock and have lunch with her
and tell her about the Barlow babies and old Miss Parker and some
others who don't go to Charities for their Christmas--and she says I
can help buy the things. Glory! I'm glad I'm living!" She stopped. "I
didn't tell her a word about you, but--Have you got a watch?"

Van Landing looked at his watch, then put it back. "I have a watch,
but no hat. I lost my hat last night chasing Noodles. It's nine
o'clock. I'm going to the Green Tea-pot at two to take lunch also.
Want to go with me?"

"I'm not going with you. You are going with me." Carmencita made
effort to look tall. "That's what I came to tell you. And you can ask
her there. I won't listen. I won't even look, and--"

Van Landing took up his overcoat, hesitated, and then put it on. "I've
never had a sure-enough Christmas, Carmencita. Why can't I get those
things for the kiddies you spoke of, and save Miss Barbour the
trouble? She has so much to do, it isn't fair to put more on her.
Then, too--"

"You can have her by yourself after we eat, can't you? Where can you
go?"

"I haven't t