“Turn up your collar; it’s winter in here,” said Stephen softly.  He switched on a shaded light which revealed a nursery containing two small beds side by side.  Two large windows at the farther end of the room were wide open, and all the breezes of the December night were playing about the sleepers.

The sleepers!  Richard bent over them, one after the other, scanning each rosy face.  The baby girl lay upon her side, a round little cheek, a fringe of dark eyelashes, and a tangle of fair curls showing against the pillow.  The boy was stretched upon his back, his arms outflung, his head turned toward the light so that his face was fully visible.  If he had been attractive with his wonderful eyes open, he was even more winsome with them closed.  He looked the picture of the sleeping angel who has never known contact with earth.

“I thought he would never be done looking,” Stephen acknowledged afterward when he told his exulting wife about the scene.  “I was half frozen, but he acted like a man hypnotized.  Finally he looked up at me.  ‘Gray, you’re a rich man,’ said he.  ’I suppose you know it or you wouldn’t have brought me up here to show me your wealth.’  ’I believe I know it,’ said I.  ‘What does it feel like,’ he asked, ’to look at these and know they’re yours?’ I told him that that was a thing I couldn’t express.  ‘Forgive me for asking,’ said he.  ’No man would want to try to express it—­to another.’  I began to like him after that, Rosy—­I really did.  The fellow seems to have a heart that hasn’t been altogether spoiled by the sort of life he’s lived.  On our way upstairs he said nothing until we were nearly back to the attic.  Then he put his hand on my arm.  ‘Thank you for taking me, Gray,’ he said.  I told him you wanted me to do it.  He only gave me a look in answer to that; but I fancy you would have liked the look, little susceptible girl.”

It was Ted who got hold of the guest next.  “I hope you’re having a good time, Mr. Kendrick,” said the young son of the house, politely.  “I’ve been so busy myself, dancing with all my girl cousins, I haven’t had time to ask you.”

“I’ve been having the time of my life, Ted.  I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed anything so much.”

“I saw you once with Rob.  You’re lucky to get her.  She hasn’t had time to dance once with me and I’d rather have her than any girl here, she’s so jolly.  She always keeps me laughing.  You and she didn’t seem to be laughing at all, though.”

“Did we look so serious?  Perhaps she felt like laughing inside, though, at my awkward steps.”

Ted stared.  “Why, you’re a bully dancer,” he declared.  “What girl are you going to have for the Virginia reel?  We always end with that—­at twelve o’clock, you know.”

“I haven’t a partner, Ted.  I wish you’d get me the one I want.”

“Tell me who it is and I’ll try.  We’re going down to bring up supper now, we fellows.  Want to help?”