"It will be very humdrum, if you please," said Lily.

"Nothing can be more humdrum than Christmas at the Great House.

Nevertheless, you must go." Coming out of church, Grace was introduced to the old squire.

He was a thin, old man, with grey hair, and the smallest possible grey whiskers, with a dry, solemn face; not carrying in his outward gait much of the customary jollity of Christmas.

He took his hat off to Grace, and said some word to her as to hoping to have the pleasure of seeing her at dinner.