"Oh give me new faces, new faces, new faces
I have seen those about me a fortnight or more.
Some people grow weary of names or of places
But faces to me are a much greater bore."

_Andrew Lang._




CONTENTS

THE PLAY'S THE THING 17
THERE'S DANGER IN NUMBERS 57
MISERY LOVES COMPANY 83
THE CHRISTMAS GUEST 115
WHO IS SYLVIA? 147
THE SPIRIT OF CECELIA ANNE 187
THEODORA, GIFT OF GOD 219
GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS 263




ILLUSTRATIONS


"There's no question about it," he retorted. "She knows that I shall