Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!"
Patricia drew a long breath. "But it is Christmas eve, Nell. And, O Nell, at least we didn't have any one there—on the express."
"N-no," Nell said gravely, "still—"
"Maybe it won't be exactly a 'merry Christmas'," Patricia began—"Nell, listen!"
From upstairs came a prolonged wail.
"Totty!" Patricia cried.
It was more than an hour later when the doctor and Miss Kirby drove slowly up the snow-covered drive. "I am afraid Patricia has had rather a lonely Christmas eve," Miss Kirby said.
"It looks as if she had gone to bed," her brother answered; "the door would have been open by this time, if she were on hand."
Miss Kirby went directly upstairs to take off her things; in the upper hall she caught the flicker of firelight through her own and Patricia's half-opened doors; and although ordinarily she did not care for a fire in her room at night, the knowledge that there was one awaiting her now brought a sense of comfort. Probably Patricia had thought she would be cold and tired—Patricia was really very considerate at times.