"By Hannah!" ejaculated the disgruntled ex-steward in his throat. "They even make a bugaboo out o' me for naughty children! I'm good and sick o' this! Folks just like me for what they can get out o' me. I--I'll quit!" It was then and there that the Santa Claus of the Shell Road apostatized. The next day the members of the Ladies' Aid Society were apprised--and surprised--of the fact that the ex-steward refused to contribute in any way toward the approaching Christmas celebration. He had stated to the committee that approached him, with a finality that could not possibly be misunderstood, his determination not to act in the capacity of Santa Claus at the Mariner's Chapel, or help in any way whatsoever. "That ought to stop 'em," snarled 'Liphalet to himself. "If they know I mean business--that I ain't to be the Mr. E. Z. Mark of this here community no longer--they'll mebbe pretty quick stop their smirkin', and hintin' and jollyin'." But it seemed they did not cease to do these very things. At least, 'Liphalet did not see that his unwonted attitude toward the approaching holiday celebration made the least difference with his neighbors. They continued to smile knowingly at him when the topic of Christmas was mentioned. Even Cap'n Jonah when next he met the ex-steward seemed to be particularly jovial about the coming Christmastide. The captain seemed quite to forget his own troubles to say: "I guess we can look forward to a white Christmas, Truitt. And that'll please the children, an' Miss Sue, an' ev'rybody. Don't you admire a white Christmas?" "I don't admire no Christmas," snarled 'Liphalet. Then to himself and under his breath, he repeated: "Christmas--_bah_!" He turned on his heel before Cap'n Jonah could say anything else, and left the latter standing in the road open-mouthed. "By Hannah! Don't the tarnal fools believe I mean it?" was 'Liphalet's disgusted comment. But he was secretly ashamed when he met Sue Ambrose near the post-office one day about this time. He had tried to tell himself that she was like the rest--that her interest in church work led her to encourage him to spend time and money for these people who did not really care anything about him save for what they could get out of him. She hailed him just as he was about to speak to Perry Baker, the Paulmouth expressman, who had a crated talking machine in his wagon to deliver, and 'Liphalet could not escape. "I'd admire to know who it is in Cardhaven is goin' to own a music box like that," he said, trying to cover his confusion. "By Hannah! I've been dreadful tempted to buy one o' them things. Wish't I hadn't been weaned on old saws like 'Wicked waste makes woful want' and 'A fool an' his money air soon parted.'" "Why, 'Liphalet Truitt!" Miss Sue said, with her low sweet laugh. "As though you could not afford every comfort--even every luxury--you craved."