madame your sister."

The little hand which lay in Miss Drayton's twitched and clung tight.
Miss Drayton smiled protectingly at the child, who looked like a
quivering rabbit cowering before hunting dogs. "If it be a matter of
broken rules--or anything unpleasant--let us pass it by, Mademoiselle
Duroc. If you please! This is Christmas, you know."

"The matter is too serious to ignore," protested Mademoiselle.

"If it must be," Miss Drayton yielded reluctantly. "But we must not
spoil our Christmas. And, really, my sister is still too unwell to be
annoyed. After Christmas, if it must be."

"After Christmas, then," Mademoiselle submitted.

Anne threw herself into Mrs. Patterson's arms in an ecstasy of delight.
"I'm so glad that it hurts," she exclaimed. "I'd forgot what good times
there are in the world."

"Let me hold Honey-Sweet. She's too heavy for you," urged Pat.

"No, I thank you," laughed Anne. "She doesn't want to be a William
Tell's child or a Daniel in the lions' den. I was so glad you sent me
word to bring Honey-Sweet, Mrs. Patterson," she continued joyously. "I
wanted to bring her, and it's so much nicer when she's invited."

"I want you to lend her to me a little while," Mrs. Patterson answered.
"I'll not make her a William Tell's child or a Daniel in the lions' den.
I--let me whisper it so she'll not hear--I want to get her a Christmas