A. M. Williamson and C. N. Williamson

“ Stan himself came to the station to meet us with his big motor-car, which compliment was as much for Jim's sake as mine, if not more, for he thinks no end of his American brother-in-law. Girls rather bore him usually, because his idea is that they generally either simper in a simple, ingénue way, or else try to make tremendous running with him, just because he's a Duke. But I could see by the way he looked at Molly Wainwright that he was thinking her, at least, a good deal more promising than most of the girls he knew. ”

“ As we flashed off they gave a cheer, as if we had been Royalties—such a hearty, affectionate cheer that it made me happier than ever, for it showed that people loved us; and one does like that, especially at Christmastime.
Vic and her new (though, alas, not young) husband had come home for Christmas, too; my cousin Loveland was there, and perhaps a dozen others, all relations. ”

“ Next morning, about half-past eight, we were waked up by more carols, clear and sweet, under our windows.
It's only at Christmas that the members of a house-party at Battlemead ever feel obliged to assemble for breakfast; but this Christmas Day not one person was missing. Jim and I had given each other presents, with our “Merrie Christmas” greetings, the first thing in the morning, but there were gifts from everybody to everybody on everybody's plate, and that breakfast was a merry meal! ”

“ Should any squint-eyed person come into the house while the log burned, quick as a flash all the good signs that had gone before would be contradicted; and because of this old tale Mother hadn't been able to invite quite an amusing cousin whom we all liked in spite of the funny little cast in his eyes. ”

“ When the groom of the chambers let us know that everything was ready we all trooped in to open the ball in the good old way, Mother dancing with Prendergast, the butler, who has been in our family ever since even Stan can remember, and Stan leading out the housekeeper, who looked a smiling, apple-cheeked pet in her best black satin and all the jewelry she has had given her for Christmas presents during the last ten years!
Vic danced with the groom of the chambers, and I with the coachman. Molly had the best-looking footman; Jim, the head housemaid, and so on. ”

“ Also a few of our own friends from the same houses were coming for a little fun; and at half-past ten promptly the “show”—as they called it—began.
Our ballroom at Battlemead Towers is the best in the county, and as the idea in giving the ball is to pay a compliment to the servants as a reward for good service during the year it is always given to them for their grand dance.
The maids and footmen had decorated it with greenery and holly, suggestive bunches of mistletoe of course, and such flags as Mother was willing to let them use, and the floor had been waxed till it shone like a mirror. ”

“ All night it had been gently snowing, soft, feathery flakes that fluttered rather than fell, and though they had melted on the warm earth they clung to tree- branches, bushes and dead grasses. As we worked, laughing like children, we were powdered from head to foot with diamond-dust. ”

“ Stan didn't say anything, but he looked at the girl. I had never seen him so handsome or so nice. That is what falling in love can do for a man, I suppose; for I believe he is falling in love with Molly Wainwright. ”

“ The Christmas log to the firing:
While my good dame, she
Bids ve all be free,
And drink to your heart's desiring.”
Mother, I suppose, was the “good dame” in this instance; and she deigned to join in with Stan, Vic, Loveland, myself and some of the other cousins in the refrain. This encouraged the poor men so much that they fairly roared out the lines on their way to the huge, open fireplace, and never stopped till they had the log past the carved stone wolves which, on each side of the high mantel, have held up the shields with our family arms ever since the days of Henry the Eighth. ”

“ She's rich, horribly, beastly rich; or Stan wouldn't be making up to her the way he is.”
͏§§
I was angry; for whatever Stan's faults may be he isn't like that, even if Loveland is. And to add to my disgust, at that very instant little Molly flitted up, to ask some question or other. She must have heard part, if not all, and have drawn her own conclusions as to the sort of family we were. I could feel myself growing as scarlet as the holly-berries Jim had stuck in my hair ”