36 
“Why didn’t you come yourselves ? Christ- 
mas day is never Christmas day, unless you 
are here !” 
But it was almost over, and, as yet, not 
any sign of the rest of the group as the slow 
hours passed. 
All at once there was a loud sound of 
tramping in the hall, then a shout of welcome 
in the air, and Edwy hoped it might be one 
person . . . no, two, whom he loved, and 
who loved him. And sure enough, he was not 
disappointed. Aida was there, and right be- 
hind her Edwy’s friend appeared on the 
scene, all trim and fine, her eyes full of 
love; and before they knew it, she had made 
a pounce upon Edwy, and the next moment 
had him in her arms. 
She said nothing about a wire-covered box 
that stood in the hall, but seeing it acci- 
dentally after he had given her a good hug, 
“a real bear-hug,” he said: 
“Oh, you’ve brought down one of my box- 
