When he returned he nodded smilingly to her, and then Doodles gave a funny little sleepy song that none of the others had heard,—"The Land of I-dunno-where."
Afterwards came more carols, until Blue and Doodles had to hurry away lest they miss the last car to Foxford.
The all-day guests began to put on their wraps, word was sent to bring up the car, and all was bustle and happy words and Merry Christmases in abundance. Each guest carried a pretty basket filled with gifts from the host and hostess, and it was nearly eleven before the last load was off, with the sleighful of young folks to keep it company.
Nelson Randolph and his wife went silently back to the deserted living-room.
"Seems kind of lonely, doesn't it?" she said.
"Not a bit!" he replied, leading her under the mistletoe and claiming his reward.
"They did have a good time," she said happily.
"The best, I'll warrant, that they've had for a decade." He looked down at his wife searchingly.
"What is it?" she smiled.
"You didn't care, did you?"