"Ach, I cannot!"
"Yes, dear, you must."
In a second she found herself in the middle of the stage. She saw the laughing, astonished faces, she saw Dr. Ellis applauding, she saw Professor Minturn smile, and back against the wall four tall boys, the real ghosts, who had come back at last. Near them, there stood some one else, a little taller than they, who waved his hand. It was William; he had come to take her home. Then her fright vanished. She was not Sarah any more. She was the Christmas Spirit, just as in the old days, when she played with the twins, she had been Jacob Kalb or Uncle Daniel or the Judge of the Orphans' Court by turns.
"Merry Christmas!" she cried, and then, like Tiny Tim, "'God bless us, every one!'"
Mr. Sattarlee was back of the scenes when she returned. He took both her hands in his. It was as though she had saved the day for him, instead of for Miss Ellingwood.
"Everybody is coming over to my rooms to have something to eat, Sarah, and of course we want you."
Sarah smiled at him.
"I thank myself, ach, I mean I am much obliged. But my brother is here, and—"
"We will have him too. We couldn't get along without either of you."
Ethel and Gertrude each held out a grateful hand. Even a tale-bearer must have her due.