Christina looked surprised, and went on, "Then why does my Nellie look so triste?"
"I'll tell you about that, perhaps. I have had a trouble, but now I feel nothing but how glad I am about Walter."
"Tell me about your trouble first, Nellie."
"Not to-day, dear; perhaps never; I do not know. To-day I will only think of you. Have you had a long letter?"
"Not very; he was in too great a hurry to write much."
"Does he say when he is coming?"
"Why yes, Nellie. Did you not know? He hopes to be here for Christmas."
"For Christmas? I had no idea it could be so soon! Oh, Christina!"
"He was to sail a week after this mail started."
Nellie was so overcome by this second piece of news, that she could only burst into tears again.