Think of your beautiful watch! Think of dear Dr.Benton." "I--I am," gasped Letty, and fell to crying again until she sobbed herself to sleep in Ailsa's tired arms.
Supper was spread in Dr.West's private office; Hallam had obtained leave, and Ailsa expected him; Colonel Arran was in Washington and could not come, but the company was to be a small one at best--Ailsa, Letty Lynden, Dr.West, Dr.Hammond, and Hallam were all who had been expected for Christmas Eve supper.
They waited for Hallam until Dr.West decided to wait no longer, saying that he was either stuck in the mud somewhere or had been detailed for duty unexpectedly.
So Ailsa lighted the Christmas candles, and the two young women in their fresh gray garbs, and the two civilian doctors in clean clothes, sat down before a rather thin roasted turkey.

But the bird proved tender and juicy, and it was beautifully cooked; and a glass of wine sent the colour into Letty's pale cheeks, and straightened Ailsa's drooping neck.
Candles, laurel branches, evergreens, bits of red ribbon, and flags made the office very gay and attractive.

Dr.West rose and delivered an unexpected speech, complimenting the ladies and praising their skill and devotion; then dinner began, and Dr.
Hammond told about an intensely interesting operation, which made the negro waiter turn almost white.
"Christmas comes but once a year!" cried jolly Dr.Hammond, warming up.

"Let's be merry!" And he told about another operation even more wonderful than the first; and Letty, catching a glimpse of the negro's wildly rolling eyes, threw back her head and laughed.

It was the first genuine laughter of the evening, and rested everybody.
A few moments later there came a jingle of metal from outside, and Hallam walked in, his wonderfully handsome face aglow, and plenty of red mud frozen on his boots.
"I've a green orderly outside.