For a little while he stood talking to them, easily and without constraint, while the Corporal lay in his bed saying nothing, but with his worn face softened by pain and service and the thought of others. From time to time he smiled grayly at the Mayor's pungent humor. Even in the old days "the Mester" had always had a liberal share of that quality in which his fellow townsmen excelled. Josiah's sense of humor was very keen, particularly when it came to assessing the shortcomings of other people; it had a breadth, a gusto, a penetration which high office seemed to amplify. His stories, comments, criticisms of those prominently before the world kept the Corporal quietly amused for some time. Finally, the Mayor looked at his watch. "I must be getting on," he said. "I've got to address the War Workers' Association at six o'clock. And at seven I've promised to look in at the Hearts of Oak annual soiree and concert." Very simply and with the manliness that was part of him he held out his hand. Without hesitation the Corporal took it. They looked in the eyes of one another. "I hope you're quite comfortable," said Josiah. "If there's anything you need you have only to let me know. So long, my boy, and don't be in a hurry to get well. See you to-morrow, Melia. Wish you could have brought Bill along with you. Happy Christmas." With a wave of the hand for them both the Mayor went away, exuding an atmosphere of kindness and goodwill towards all men except Germans. In the Mayor's opinion Germans were not men at all. XLI It would have been ungracious of Melia not to spend Christmas Day at Strathfieldsaye. Indeed, she felt that she could hardly do otherwise. That stubborn thing, pride, might still be lurking in the corners of her heart, yet it durst not show itself openly; besides, whatever its secret machinations, she could not overlook the fact that her father was striving to wipe out the past. Perhaps the past is the only thing easier to create than to destroy, but certainly Josiah was now trying his best to undo it. And this Melia knew. In view of the important function on Christmas Day, Melia had been taken in hand by Aunt Gerty. It would have been natural to resent the interference of that lady, but it was clear that her actions were inspired "from above." At the same time no emissary could have been more tactful, more discreet. In situations that called for finesse she was hard to beat; and she was able to have Melia "fitted" for a _really_ good coat and skirt by her own accomplished dressmaker, Miss Pratt, and helped her also to choose a hat at Messrs. Rostron and Merton's, the best shop in the city, without arousing antagonism in that sensitive soul. Also she whispered in Melia's ear that there was reason to believe that her father had a little surprise in store for her on Christmas Day.