This was not exactly as he had anticipated. He had planned to arrange those details according to his own ideas and Nancy's. But somehow he managed to live through it. If, however, he had known that the Guilfords were entertaining company he would not have come. He hated to meet strangers, especially tall women dressed all in black who think they have got to talk to a fellow all the time. When Sube was presented to Mrs. Hotchkiss-Harger he fastened his gaze on a little red spot on the crash and moved his lips deferentially, although no sound came. Observing his embarrassment, Mrs. Hotchkiss-Harger attempted to put him at his ease by the questionable method of interrogation. "So this is the young man," she remarked in her deep voice, "to whom we are indebted for this beautiful tree?" Sube nodded microscopically. "It's a cypress, isn't it?" she persisted. Again Sube's head moved slightly, although it would have taken a mind reader to translate the movement. "Why, I had no idea that cypresses were indigenous to this part of the country. Where did you get that tree, young man?" Sube started visibly. This was a question he was hardly prepared to answer. "Th--that tree, th--there?" he stammered in confusion. "That tree?--Why--" Once more the success of well-handled dilatory tactics was evident; for Mrs. Hotchkiss-Harger suddenly burst into tears. "Oh, it all comes back so clearly," she sobbed. "I went to the nursery myself--broken and crushed as I was--and selected the four dainty cypresses that were planted at the four corners of the lot where my poor dear Clarence was laid to rest. They must be just about the size of this one! I _must_ go and see them to-morrow. Why, I haven't seen those darling little trees since the day they were set out!--Oh, dear--!" "There, there, sister," comforted Mrs. Guilford. "How could you have seen them when you have been abroad all the time? They've had the best of care, and they were looking be-autiful the last time I saw them--" "Ah, yes, I stayed away that I might learn to forget!" moaned Mrs. Hotchkiss-Harger between huge convulsive sobs. "But how the old grief closes in on me the moment I return. Oh, I must go to the cemetery to-morrow!" [Illustration: "MY FATHER GOT IT FOR ME"] "Oh, I don't believe I'd go on the day before Christmas," Mrs. Guilford advised gently. "I must!--I must!--I can't wait a moment longer!" Then with a supreme effort Mrs. Hotchkiss-Harger mastered her grief, and removing her black-bordered handkerchief from her reddened eyes, turned to Sube who had been watching her with keen interest, and said: "You haven't yet told me where you got that tree, young man." Sube had to swallow once or twice before he managed to mumble, "Don't know exackly." "Don't know?" she demanded. "How can it be possible that you don't know? You cut this tree yourself, did you not?" "No, ma'am. I--" "You didn't! Well, who did, then?"