The Christmas guests had gathered when Teddy drew rein at the yard gate of his father’s hospitable mansion. There were several cars parked along the driveway and a large family sleigh was being unloaded just ahead of him.
“Christmas gift, Jo! Christmas gift, Sue—you, too, Billy! Christmas gift, Aunt Julia! Christmas gift, Uncle Tom!” he called, and in turn was deluged with cries of “Christmas gift” from the occupants of the sleigh.
“It was bully of you all to drive over. Mother was so afraid you might not venture in the snow, but I was sure you would come. I want all of you to meet my friend Miss Friend, Josie for short. She’s heard a lot about you and is just dying to know you.”
“I am sure we have heard a lot about you, too,” murmured Aunt Julia politely.
“More about you than you have about us, I’ll be bound,” said Uncle Tom with a genial wink.
As Josie had never heard a word about them and was not even aware of the surnames of these kindly kinsmen of her host, she could vouch for their having at least heard as much about her as she had about them and as they knew her last name—that is the last name she had assumed—she might even agree that they knew more of her than she did of them. At any rate, they were kind and cordial and willing to take her on Teddy’s say-so. It was Christmas day and Josie was determined to make the most of the opportunity to have a good old-fashioned time in a good old-fashioned way, while she was engaged in picking up as much information as possible concerning Ursula and the kidnaping of little Philip.
The house was gay with holly and running cedar, with great bunches of mistletoe hung from the chandeliers and wreaths of swamp berries in every window. The piny odor of the evergreens, mingled with that of choice foods, made Josie’s nostrils twitch with pleasure.
“Mother, I’ve brought a friend in to dinner,” Teddy said simply. He took Josie’s arm and presented her to the sweet-faced lady who was standing in the middle of the spacious parlor. “Josie Friend, Mother.”
“I am so glad to see you.” The words were so simple and so genuinely spoken that Josie was sorry, even for a short time, to have to seem to be something she was not. She longed to be able to tell this lovely woman who she was and how she happened to be in Peewee Valley on that white Christmas. However, she realized the importance of carrying out the program she and Teddy had planned and merely said, “Thank you,” in response to Teddy’s mother and, “Thank you,” again when Colonel Trask was equally cordial.
“That is Cheatham!” Teddy whispered, as a tall, rather commanding, figure appeared in the doorway. Josie controlled herself not to look at the man too closely, but began talking to Uncle Tom, who had taken a stand near her. Uncle Tom was easy to talk to because all one had to do was listen.