"It would kill a man twice to eat half a slice Of Miss Hooligan's Christmas Cake." Uproarious applause greeted Mr. Taylor's efforts, and he was so elated that it was with difficulty Mr. Thomson restrained him from singing it all over again. "You've done fine, man," he whispered. "Mind you're the superintendent of the Sabbath school." Mr. Taylor's face sobered. "Thomson, ye don't think it's unbecoming of me to sing 'Miss Hooligan'? I've often sang it and no harm thought, but I wouldn't for the world bring discredit on ma office. I did think of gettin' up 'Bonnie Mary o' Argyle.' It would mebbe have been more wise-like." "No, no, Taylor; I was only joking. 'Miss Hooligan's' fine. I like it better every time I hear it. There's no ill in it. I'm sorry I spoke." Meantime Jessie was trying to explain away Mr. Taylor to the Simpsons, who continued to look disgusted. Elizabeth Seton, standing near, came to her aid. "Isn't Mr. Taylor delicious?" she said. "Quite as good as Harry Lauder, and you know"--she turned to Miss Muriel Simpson--"what colossal sums people in London pay Harry Lauder to sing at their parties." Miss Muriel knew little of London and nothing of London parties, but she liked Elizabeth's assuming she did, so she replied with unction, "That is so." "Well," said Miss Gertrude, "I never can see why people rave about Harry Lauder. I see nothing funny in vulgarity myself, but look at the crowds!" "Perhaps," said Elizabeth, "the crowd has a vulgar mind. I wouldn't wonder;" and she turned away, to find Stewart Stevenson at her elbow. "I say, Miss Seton," he said, "I wonder if you would care to see that old ballad-book I was telling you about?" "I would, very much," said Elizabeth heartily. "Bring it, won't you, some afternoon? I am in most afternoons about half-past four." "Thanks very much--I would like to.... Well, good night." It seemed to strike everyone at the same moment that it was time to depart. There was a general exodus, and a filing upstairs by the ladies to the best bedroom for wraps, and to the parlour on the part of the men, for overcoats and goloshes, or snow-boots as the case might be. Elizabeth stood in the lobby waiting for her cab, and watched the scene. As Miss Waterston tripped downstairs in a blue cashmere cloak with a rabbit fur collar Mr. Inverarity emerged from the parlour, with his music sticking out of his coat-pocket. Together they said good night to Mr. and Mrs. Thomson and told Jessie how much they had enjoyed the party. "We've just had a lovely evening, Jessie," said Miss Waterston. "Awfully jolly, Miss Thomson," said Mr. Inverarity. "Not at all," was Jessie's reply; and the couple departed together, having discovered that they both lived "West."