_Fountain_: "That was merely a figure of speech. And besides, since you've been out with Benny, I've been thinking, and I take back everything I've said or thought against Christmas; I didn't really think it. I've been going back in my mind to that first Christmas we had together, and it's cheered me up wonderfully." _Mrs. Fountain_, tenderly: "Have you, dearest? I _always_ think of it. If you could have seen Benny, how I left him, just now?" _Fountain_: "I shouldn't mind seeing him, and I shouldn't care if I gave a glance at poor old Jim and Susy. I'd like to reassure them about not sending back the presents." He puts his arm round her and presses her toward the door. _Mrs. Fountain_: "How sweet you are! And how funny! And good!" She accentuates each sentiment with a kiss. "And don't you suppose I felt sorry for you, making you go round with me the whole afternoon, and then leaving you to take the brunt of arranging the presents? Now I'll tell you: _next_ year, I _will_ do my Christmas shopping in July. It's the only way." _Fountain_: "No, there's a better way. As you were saying, they don't have the Christmas things out. The only way is to do our Christmas shopping the day after Christmas; everything will be round still, and dog-cheap. Come, we'll begin day after to-morrow." _Mrs. Fountain_: "We will, we will!" _Fountain_: "Do you think we will?" _Mrs. Fountain_: "Well, we'll _say_ we will." They laugh together, and then he kisses her. _Fountain_: "Even if it goes on in the same old way, as long as we have each other--" _Mrs. Fountain_: "And the children." _Fountain_: "I forgot the children!" _Mrs. Fountain_: "Oh, how delightful you are!" THE END BOOKS BY W. D. HOWELLS