"Twelve to twelve forty-five.--Why?" Though she herself was at fault, the curtness of his message aroused her irritation. She crumpled it in her hands, then tore it to pieces. "Very well! Now for presents!" she said. When, after the last mysterious box had been opened with rapturous cries, dolls dressed and undressed, enormous mouthfuls of sweets consumed and crackers pulled with shrieks of fear, Snyder went off with Betty in a gale of excitement. Dodo, left alone, hurried to her presents. The harvest had been abundant; the table shone with silver. Mr. Peavey had sent a magnificent toilet set, Harrigan Blood a vanity box in gold which she embraced in her delight, Blainey a brooch which had solid convertible qualities; scarf-pins and silverware abounded. There was a set of sable furs from Stacey (heavens! how often she had feared he had not understood!), but only a silver-mounted umbrella from Gilday (like a card with "P.P.C." across, she thought!). Massingale's bracelet was of exquisite workmanship, oriental, inclosing a talisman set in rubies, her favorite stone. She slipped it over her wrist, fascinated and content with its elegance and charm, which she associated always with him. Overcome by remorse, she hastened to the telephone. She tried his club, but he was not in. She left her number, and hurriedly sent off a note by Josephus, promising to explain all, a note full of healing affection and contrition, giving him a rendezvous for nine precisely. Then she ran down the stairs, and hurried back to her patient. He was awake, waiting her coming, and the nervous longing in his eyes changed to peaceful contemplation as she came daintily in. "I hoped you wouldn't wake up until I got back," she said, throwing off her new furs and raising her little toque from her tomboy golden curls, which seemed to dance in joyful liberation. The red snap of the chill snow was on her cheeks, in her eyes unmistakable eagerness to be back. He saw it, and smiled too, beckoning her with a little motion of his outstretched hand. Then his glance went anxiously to Clarice; but she, as if interested only in the furs, bore them out of the room. Dodo took her chair by his side, looking down happily. "Many presents?" he asked slowly. She nodded gaily. "Heaps!" He put his hand under the pillow and drew something out. He held it a moment in his hand, his fist closed over it. "My present." "Really?" she said, clasping her hands. He watched her hungrily, devouring every fugitive flash of youth and beauty. Then he held up a ring, a diamond flanked by two rubies, in an old setting. "It's been in the family--long time. My mother's," he said. But Dodo, drawing back, confused, touched, resisted. "Oh, no! I couldn't! It's much too valuable. Please, please don't ask it!" "Too valuable?" he said, with a touch of anger. "For you? Give me your hand--left, please!"