His Honor sat down by his two girls. Gadsby was not looking good. Black rings around his always laughing orbs; a hard cast to that jovial mouth; a gray hair or two, cropping up amongst his wavy brown. But Gadsby was not old. Oh, no; far from it. Still, that stoop in walking; that odd, limp slump in sitting; that toning down in joviality, had, for six months past, had all Branton Hills sympathizing with its popular Mayor. * * * * * Days; days; days! And, oh! that _tough_ part,--nights, nights, nights! Nights of two young chaps, in full clothing, only just napping on a parlor couch. Nights of two girls nodding in chairs in a dimly,--oh, _so_ dimly a lit room. It got around almost to Christmas, only a fortnight to that happy day; but,--happy in Gadsby's mansion? Finally Frank took a hand:-- "Now, kid, _do_ try to stop this crying! You know I'm not scolding you, darling, but, you _just can't_ go on this way; and _that's that!_" "I'm trying _so_ hard, hubby!" Now Nancy was of that good, sturdy old Colonial stock of His Honor and Lady Gadsby; and so, as Christmas was approaching, and many a bunch of holly hung in Broadway's big windows, and as many a Salvation Army Santa Claus stood at its curbs, Nancy's constitution won out; but a badly worn young lady was in and out of Gadsby's mansion daily; bringing baby Lillian to kiss Grandma, and riding back with Frank at about six o'clock. * * * * * Old Doctor Wilkins, coming in on a cool, sharp night, found His Honor, Nancy, Kathlyn, Bill, Julius, Lucy, Mary, Frank and John all in that big parlor. "Now, you bunch, it's up to you. Lady Gadsby will pull through all right," (Nancy rushing wildly to kiss him!) "it hangs now upon good nursing; and I know you will furnish that. And I will say without a wisp of a doubt, that a calm, happy room; not too many around; and--and--hmmm!! Julius, can't you hunt around in our woods that you and Kathlyn know so thoroughly, and find a tall, straight young fir; cut it down, rig it up with lights and a lot of shiny stuff; stand it up in your Ma's room, and----" * * * * * 'Tis a night, almost Christmas, And all through that room A warm joy is stirring; No sign of a gloom. And "Ma," sitting up, In gay gown, and cap, No, no! Will _not_ start On a long wintry nap! For, out on that lawn A group of girls stand; A group singing carols With part of our Band. And that moon, in full vigor, Was lustrous; and lo! _Our Lady is singing!_ Aha, _now_ I know That Nancy and Kathlyn And Julius and Bill And also His Honor, Will sing with a will! And Old Doctor Wilkins Amidst it all stands; Smiling and nodding, And rubbing his hands; And, sliding out, slyly; Calls back at that sight:-- "Happy Christmas to all; And to all a Good Night!"