"Youse oin't goin' to have no udder swipes but me?"

"No."

"Den who'll git all de presents wot's on de tree?" inquired Swot,
suggestively.

"Guess!" laughed Constance.

"Will dey all be for me?"

"Yes."

"Hully gee! But dat's grand! Ise in it up to de limit, doc, oin't Ise?"
exclaimed the waif, turning to the doctor.

Dr. Armstrong smiled and nodded his head, but something in his face or
manner seemed to give a change to the boy's thoughts, for, after eyeing
him intently, he said to Constance,--

"Oin't youse goin' to invite de doc?"

Miss Durant coloured as she said, with a touch of eagerness yet shyness,
"Dr. Armstrong, I intended to ask you, and it will give me a great deal of
pleasure if you will come to Swot's and my festival." And when the doctor
seemed to hesitate, she added, "Please!" in a way that would have very
much surprised any man of her own circle.

"Thank you, Miss Durant; I'll gladly come, if you are sure I sha'n't be an
interloper."