"Pardon me for not thinking to ask you. I was declaring a six months' course in self-discipline for the good of my soul."
"Bring forth the smoke," said Lawrence joyously.
"Unfortunately"—Philip turned to Claire—"a bachelor's storehouse contains no treat for a lady. Your visit was unexpected."
"I shall gain my pleasure through watching you two sink back into a beloved vice," she answered.
"Horrible!" Lawrence sat down, and took the cigarette which Philip produced. "To enjoy seeing one succumb to vice."
"Isn't it characteristic of scandal-loving humanity?" she rejoined.
"And on Christmas Day!" Philip chided her lightly. Then he went on, seriously: "But one should really be above all things save love and gratitude to God on this day."
"I suppose so," said Lawrence, "but it's difficult to determine just where this object of gratitude abides and what He is."
"Is it necessary to locate Him?" asked Claire.
Lawrence breathed deeply with the satisfaction in his cigarette. "I should hate to direct my gratitude toward some one who missed it, and thus have it lost in desert space," he answered.