"You have not been negligent," at last she remarked gently. "Your name and the Duke's are on all charity lists. You help good objects with what they ask for--money."
The Duchess shook her head.
"It was always a proud giving. That charity did not come from kindness, it came from pride."
"No, Duchess; you are taking an unfair advantage of yourself."
"I think not, Mrs. Moss. But I need not talk penitence now. If this--this tendency holds me to-morrow, as I can truly say I hope it will, I shall do better by expressing it in deeds. I want now, if you please, to speak with you on a more serious question, and to invite your co-operation."
Mrs. Moss wriggled. "It is coming!" she told herself. This sounded so like the familiar prelude to a begging appeal.
She was agreeably disappointed. The Duchess did not even look the word purse-strings, but still required something that involved sacrifice.
"You have, of course, heard of these municipal Christmas festivities?" she asked.
"Only vaguely!" was the airy answer.
"But the papers have been full of them!"