"Stop right there, my dear. You’re going to talk nonsense about being under obligations and that sort of thing. Your father and I were friends in our boyhood and it was the sort of friendship that stood by in a rough sea. More than once your father has come to my help when his name on my note was all that stood between me and bankruptcy." Santa Claus took out his handkerchief and blew his nose violently. "And after that if his daughter had a silly pride which wouldn’t allow her to accept my help in making as much of herself as possible, I should be driven to conclude that she wasn’t worthy the name she bears." Elaine looked at her sister furtively, and something she saw in Grace’s face made her heart flutter with a glad expectancy so keen as to be almost pain. Grace’s brow was knit, and her face was pale, visible signs of an inner battle. Elaine breathed hard, guessing the tremendous importance of the struggle, and the significance of victory. "I’ve grounds for being very angry," Mr. Clement went on with his whimsical smile. "When the three of you disappeared without a word or sign, I was hurt, and many of your friends felt as I did. I tried to make myself think that you would write me soon, but the weeks and months went by, and not a line from any of you. I had a right to be angry, and I was. However, I’m not a man to continue bringing up old scores. We’ll call it square, Grace, if you’ll close with my offer. What do you say? Is it a bargain?" His compelling eyes were on her. For a moment he looked less like Santa Claus than some old viking, fearless of tempestuous seas, accustomed to conquest. As Grace’s troubled gaze met his a curious change was apparent in her face, as if a spark of his resolution had fired hers. "I’ll--I’ll do it, Mr. Clement," she faltered, and checked herself quickly, as if frightened by the rashness of her own promise. But Mr. Clement gave her no time for wavering. "Done!" he cried, and catching the frail hand in his he shook it heartily. "And this spring and summer devote yourself to getting a little color, and putting a few pounds of flesh wherever you need them most. If you’re not careful, this little sister of yours will be putting on airs, and ordering you about just because she’s the biggest." It was not early when Mr. Clement left, but, in spite of the lateness of the hour, Elaine yielded to an overwhelming desire to see Peggy. It was to Peggy alone that she had confided her great unhappiness, and it seemed to her that she could not sleep unless Peggy had heard the good news, the wonderful sequel to the incident which had made the close of the previous week eventful.