While she stood there, she heard steps in the hall.
"O, I thought you were Mr. Edmunds," she exclaimed, as David entered. It was the first time he had been at the office that day. "I have a message for him. Have you seen him anywhere?"
"No," answered David. "I have just come in from Hillhollow. Marta has telegraphed that she is coming home on the night train, so I shall not be able to accept Jack's invitation. She had not expected to come at all during the holidays; but one of the teachers was called home, and she could not resist the temptation to accompany her, although she can only stay until the end of the week."
As Bethany expressed her regrets at Jack's disappointment, David picked up a small package that lay on his desk.
"O, the expressman left that for you a little while ago," she said. "Your Christmas is beginning early."
She turned again to the window, peering out through the dusk, while David lighted the gas-jet over his desk, and proceeded to open the package.
It occurred to her that here was a time, while all the world was turning towards the Messiah on this anniversary eve of his coming, that she might venture to speak of him. Before she could decide just how to begin, David spoke to her:
"Do you care to look, Miss Hallam? I would like for you to see it."
He held a little silver case towards her, on which a handsome monogram was heavily engraved.