invitingly. "Do it as if you liked it, not as if you wanted to be
religious."

Mr. Diggs became human at once. He laid aside his austerity, and was
no longer a butler but a good-looking chap of thirty-five who had the
"very Old Nick" in him. It was the sort of kiss that has nothing in
common with mistletoe--the sort that DOES lead to future
complications. It proved something to Melissa, and she uttered a
little sigh of happiness. Mr. Diggs kissed her because he was in love
with her.

Unfortunately, Mr. Bingle entered the room at the very instant of
least resistance, and coughed.

"Oh, I--I beg your pardon!" exclaimed Mr. Bingle, genuinely
distressed. It is worthy of note that it was the good little man who
apologised, not Diggs.

As the master was accompanied by the tall young newspaper chap, who
grinned abominably, both Diggs and Melissa forgot their moment of
bliss and fell from a great height. Needless to say, they were
speechless.

"It's quite all right, Diggs," said Mr. Bingle, affecting a vast
geniality. "What's a mistletoe for if not to--yes, yes, Melissa, it's
quite all right. Ahem! Don't you agree with me, Mr. Flanders?"

"Thoroughly," said Mr. Flanders with conviction. "And what's more, Mr.
Bingle, I agree with Diggs."