The Witchery of Wa-Wa 11 



lines about the mouth which hint where Time 

 marks up his score. She evidently was expecting 

 somebody, and she didn't have long to wait. 



As she watched, the space above the gate was 

 suddenly filled by a hurdling figure, which flew the 

 trifling barrier as though it were a mere print in 

 the snow, and sped with long leaps along the path. 

 In her excitement she rapped the big pane so hard 

 that it flew into clashing spears ; but that one pane 

 was the only thing of that name in any way con- 

 nected with that particular reunion. 



" Time ! breakaway ! " he managed to gasp a 

 few moments later, and when he had got free he 

 added solemnly, " Mater, if you persist in hugging 

 and punching when clinched, I'll give you the heel." 

 He towered above her as a greyhound towers above 

 a rabbit, but the Rabbit didn't appear to mind. In 

 fact, it showed a decided tendency to force the fight- 

 ing, fouls and all, but he straightened up, which 

 most effectually prevented the Rabbit's getting its 

 favorite hold. 



" Think of it whew ! " he presently said ; " this 

 Christmas actually ends the infernal grind, and I 

 can loaf for a year a whole year! if I want to." 

 She said never a word ; her face assumed a comical 

 attempt at sternness, and she held out a wee hand. 



" Um-er-yes that's so ! " he stammered, as he 

 pretended to fumble in search of the proof that he 

 had been actually doing a trifle of work between 

 athletic events. 



" There's the condemned thing, and I hope you'll 

 prize it, for the cost has been frightful ! " he con- 

 cluded, with a forced calmness; for he felt like 



