“But I’ll never wonder at things happening any more.  I’ll just wonder at there being so many nice people on this earth.  All are not nice.  The Damanarkist says there is a lot of rot in them, a lot of meanness and cheatingness, and nasty people who don’t want other people to do well or to get in their way; but there’s bound to be more niceness than nastiness, or the world couldn’t go on.  It couldn’t without a lot of love.  It takes a lot of love to stand life.  I read that in a book.  Maybe that’s why we have Christmas—­why the Christ-child came.”

Shyly the curly head was bent on the upraised knees, and the palms of two little hands were uplifted.  “O God, all I’ve got to give is love.  Help me never to forget, and put a lot in my heart so I’ll always have it ready.  And I thank You and thank You for letting such grand things happen.  I didn’t dream there’d really be a marriage when I asked You please to let it be if you could manage it; but there’s going to be two, and I’m going to both.  I’ve got a new dress to wear, and slippers with buckles, and amber beads, and lots of other things.  And most of all I thank You for Mr. Van and Miss Frances finding each other.  And please don’t let them ever lose each other again.  They might, even if they are married, if they don’t take care.  Please help them to take care, for Christ’s sake.  Amen.”

* * * * *

On her feet, Carmencita patted the stocking hanging from the mantel, took off the big coat, kicked the large, loose slippers across the room, blew out the candle, and stood for a moment poised on the tip of her toes.

“If I could”—­the words came breathlessly—­“if I could I’d dance like the lady I was named for, but it might wake Father.  I mustn’t wake Father.  Good night, everybody—­and a merry Christmas to all this nice, big world!”

With a spring that carried her across the room Carmencita was on her cot and beneath its covering, which she drew up to her face.  Under her breath she laughed joyously, and her arms were hugged to her heart.

“To-morrow—­I mean to-day—­I am going to tell them.  They don’t understand yet.  They think it was just an accident.”  She shook her head.  “It wasn’t an accident.  After they’re married I’m going to tell them.  Tell them how it happened.”

THE END