her; but at that instant another figure I had not seen started up
from a dark corner, and caught hold of me in rough, boyish fashion.

"Allan! oh Allan! Allan!" my voice rising into a perfect crescendo
of ecstasy at the sight of his dear dark face. Could anything be more
deliciously unexpected? And there was Miss Ruth laughing very softly
to herself at my pleasure.

"Oh, Allan, what does this mean," I demanded, "when you told us
there was no chance of your spending Christmas with us? Have you been
home? Have you seen mother and Dot? Have you come here to fetch me
home?"

Allan held up his hands as he took a seat near me.

"One question at a time, Esther. I had unexpected leave of absence
for a week, and that is why you see me; and as I wanted to surprise
you all, I said nothing about it. I arrived about three hours ago,
and as mother thought I might come and fetch you, why I thought I
would, and that you would be pleased to see me; that is all my
story," finished Allan, exchanging an amused glance with Miss Ruth.
They had never met before, and yet they seemed already on excellent
terms. All an made no sort of demur when Miss Ruth insisted that we
should both have some tea to warm us before we went. I think he felt
at home with her at once.

Flurry seemed astonished at our proceeding. She regarded Allan for a
long time very solemnly, until he won her heart by admiring Flossy;
then she condescended to converse with him.