CHAPTER X.
SPORT It was the day before Christmas Eve, and Avery had been shopping.
She and Mrs.Lorimer were preparing a Christmas Tree for the children, a secret to which only Jeanie had been admitted.

The tree itself was already procured and hidden away in a corner of the fruit cupboard--to which special sanctum Mrs.Lorimer and Avery alone had access.

But the numerous gifts and ornaments which they had been manufacturing for weeks were safely stored in a corner of Avery's own room.

It was to complete this store that Avery had been down into Rodding that afternoon, and she was returning laden and somewhat wearied.
The red light of a cloudy winter sunset lay behind her.

Ahead of her, now veiled, now splendidly revealed, there hung a marvellous, glimmering star.