"Elsbeth dear, it was nothing. Only Clare did ask me to spend Christmas Day with her."
"Well?" said Elsbeth jealously.
"What?" asked Alwynne's ingenuous eyes.
"Are you going?"
Alwynne nestled up to her, humming with careful flatness the final bars of Home, sweet home.
"Elsbeth, you old darling—I do believe you're jealous! Are you, Elsbeth? Are you?"
"Are you going?" repeated Elsbeth.
Alwynne was sobered by her tone.
"I'm going to spend my Christmas Day in my own home, with my own Elsbeth," she said, "and I think you needn't have asked me."
Elsbeth melted.