'What have you done with Mr. Falkirk?'
'His sister in England wanted him. He went to her. One ought to have six guardians, you perceive.'
'How do you expect to be taken care of this winter, in such a state of things?'
'I ought to give more trouble than ever,' said the girl, shaking her head,'after such an apprenticeship at taking care of myself.'
'I hope not,' said Dane demurely. 'But Hazel, it is time we began to talk about business. There is a great deal to be said, at least, before Arthur comes to fetch me. Do you know it is just a week, or little more, to Christmas?'
'Yes,' said Hazel. 'I know.'
'I might divide my subject categorically in two parts; how Christmas is to be kept in the Hollow, and how we shall keep it here. I want your best attention on both heads.'
'I have not thoughtI tried not to think. I wished Christmas a hundred miles away!'
'I am quite unable to fathom the mystery of that statement.'
'Yes, of course,' said Hazel; 'how should you know? But if you had been shut off here' and she gave her plate a little push, sitting back in her chair, as she might have done,and had donein many of the weary days gone by.