When the last package had been opened, Santa Claus removed his huge white beard, slipped out of his scarlet bath robe bordered with cotton and stood forth as Hippy Wingate; while Father Time set his sickle carefully up in one corner, divested himself of his flowing beard and locks, took off David's gray dressing gown and appeared as Tom Gray.
It was long after midnight before the guests sought their rooms, their arms piled with gifts.
"Come into my room for an after-gathering," said Miriam to the girls, as they stood in a group at the head of the stairs.
"Wait until we deposit our spoils and get comfy," said Grace.
Fifteen minutes later the Phi Sigma Taus, with the exception of Marian Barber, wrapped in kimonos, were monopolizing the floor space around the big open fireplace in Miriam's room.
"Where's Marian?" asked Grace.
"Gone to bed," answered Eva laconically. "She said she didn't propose to stay up half the night to gossip."
"The very idea!" exclaimed Jessica. "We never do gossip, but I think she has furnished plenty of material so far for a gossiping match."
"And it looks as though we were in a fair way to start one, now," said Anne slyly.
"Anne, you rascal," said Jessica laughing. "I'll acknowledge my sins and change the subject."