Owen Oliver

“ The president laughed a hoarse laugh; and the vice-president squeezed the wet from his sleeve.
“That's a woman's way of looking at things,” he expostulated; “if you would excuse me, ma'am.”
“I know,” she admitted. “I know. All the rest of the year you'd be right, and I'd be wrong; but this is Christmas time. I don't want Ted to take part in anything that's not—not seasonable. Surely you can do without him. Ask the gentlemen not to take daddy to-night, boys. Say, 'Please, kind gentlemen, we want our dear daddy at home. ”

“ Her youth, indeed, was not far behind her; but she had lived hard.
“You won't keep Ted long, will you?” she pleaded.
“Not. longer than is necessary, ma'am,” the president promised.
The vice-president made a curious sound.
“Something run through me like a knife,” he explained. “Rheumatics, I shouldn't wonder. Caught me sharp.”
“Ted's like that sometimes,” the woman sympathized. “Not very strong, he isn't. Sometimes I fear as he won't make old bones. He says himself as he believes something will happen sudden some day. ”

“ We'd be so lonely without him.'”
“We want daddy home,” the children repeated.
“We're going to play games,” the eldest boy explained.
“You play,” the second boy suggested to Silent Jim. “Be a bear, and I'll be a bear, too.” ”

“ Anyway, Christmas ain't the time for it. Well, well, it's no use arguing with men; but I'd rather Ted was out of it to-night. You must stop and drink our health now you are here. Ted was just going to mix some punch when you came in. Make it quick, Ted, and I'm sure the gentlemen will wait. It's like old times to see friends round us to-night.”
“Old times!” The president tapped his leggings thoughtfully; and the vice-president nodded slowly at the rafters overhead.
“Doesn't that bring the old times to mind?” the woman asked, pointing to some festoons of colored paper round the walls. ”

“ I can't spare Ted for any business to-night. But come in.”
After a competition who would rub his boots longest on the remains of a mat, they went in. The president and vice-president did not seem to look at Leeder; but they watched his hands and pockets out of the corners of their eyes. You never know when a man may shoot. But Leeder made no movement, only stared at them. Silent Jim stared at him. ”