This all arranged, Mark took his place with the Little Gray Lady for a partner. The music struck up a lively tune and as quickly ceased as the sound of bells rang through the night air. In the hush that followed a sleigh was heard at the gate.
Kate sprang up and clapped her hands.
“Oh, they are just in time! There come the rest of them, Cousin Annie. Now we are going to have a great party! Let’s be dancing when they come in; keep on playing!”
At this instant the door opened and Margaret put in her head. “Somebody,” she said, with a low bow, “wants to see Mr. Mark on business.”
Mark, looking like a gallant of the old school, excused himself with a great flourish to the Little Gray Lady and strode out. In the hall, with his back to the light, stood a broad-shouldered man muffled to the chin in a fur overcoat. The boy was about to apologize for his costume and then ask the man’s errand, when the stranger turned quickly and gripped his wrist.
“Hush—not a word! Where is she?” he cried.
With a low whistle of surprise Mark pushed open the door. The stranger stepped in.
The Little Gray Lady raised her head.
“And who can this new guest be?” she asked—“and in what a queer costume, too!”
The man drew himself up to his full height and threw wide his coat: “And you don’t know me, Annie?”