Later on, in a moment of quiet obtained by a somewhat imperative command to the noisy children, she announced to Mr. Bingle that she must be running along to a dinner and the opera, and that she hoped he would have everything ready when the agents for the Society called at half-past eight, so that there would be no delay in getting the youngsters off in a specially chartered Fifth Avenue stage. Then she turned sweetly to Miss Amy Colgate and said:
"May I take you up town in my car, Mrs. Flanders?"
Mrs. Flanders replied just as sweetly. "No, thank you, Mrs. Force. Our own limousine is waiting."
"We've come to hear the 'Christmas Carol,' Bingle," said Mr. Force after his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Flanders had gone. "Kathleen and I expect to come to see you on every Christmas Eve, if you'll have us. You've got us on your hands, old man, and you can't shake us off."
"God bless my soul," said Mr. Bingle, visibly moved. "I remember that you DID use it as an argument when you took Kathleen away from me. Still, I bear it no grudge."
"I love the 'Christmas Carol,' Daddy," cried Kathleen, snuggling close to him.
"Sh! You must not call me Daddy now, dear."
"I shall! You'll always be my daddy."
"And how about—" he pointed to Mr. Force.
"Oh," she said easily, "I call him father."