Carmencita’s long slender forefinger made a jab in Van Landing’s direction, and her head nodded with each word uttered.  But before he could answer, Mother McNeil, with breakfast on a tray, was in the room and Carmencita was out.

Sitting down beside him, as he asked her to do, Van Landing told her how it happened he was there, told her who he was.  Miss Barbour was under her care.  She had once been his promised wife.  He was trying to find her when he fell, or fainted, or whatever it was, that he might ask her again to marry him.  Would she help him?

In puzzled uncertainty Mother McNeil had listened, fine little folds wrinkling her usually smooth forehead, and her keen eyes searching the face before her; then she got up.

“I might have known it would end like this.  Well, why not?” Hands on her hips, she smiled in the flushed face looking into hers.  Van Landing had risen, and his hands, holding the back of his chair, twitched badly.  “The way of love is the way of life.  If she will marry you—­God bless you, I will say.  It’s women like Frances the work we’re in is needing.  But it’s women like her that men need, too.  She’s out, but she asked me to wish you a very happy Christmas.”

CHAPTER XIII

“A very happy Christmas!” Van Landing smiled.  “How can I have it without—­When can I see her, Mother McNeil?”

At the open door Mother McNeil turned.  “She has some shopping to do.  Yesterday two more families were turned over to us.  Sometimes she gets lunch at the Green Tea-pot on Samoset Street.  She will be home at four.  The children come at eight, and the tree is to be dressed before they get here.”  A noise made her look around.  “Carmencita,—­you are out of breath, child!  It’s never you will learn to walk, I’m fearing!”

Carmencita, who had run down the hall as one pursued, stopped, pulled up her stocking, and made effort to fasten it to its supporter.  “Christmas in my legs,” she said.  “Can’t expect feet to walk on Christmas eve.  I’ve got to tell him something, Mother McNeil.  Will you excuse me, please, if I tell him by himself?”

Coming inside the room, Carmencita pulled Van Landing close to her and closed the door, and for half a minute paused for breath.

“It was Her.  It was Miss Barbour at the telephone, and she says I must meet her at the Green Tea-pot at two o’clock and have lunch with her and tell her about the Barlow babies and old Miss Parker and some others who don’t go to Charities for their Christmas—­and she says I can help buy the things.  Glory!  I’m glad I’m living!” She stopped.  “I didn’t tell her a word about you, but—­Have you got a watch?”

Van Landing looked at his watch, then put it back.  “I have a watch, but no hat.  I lost my hat last night chasing Noodles.  It’s nine o’clock.  I’m going to the Green Tea-pot at two to take lunch also.  Want to go with me?”