Still no Carlia.
When the driver went out to feed his horses and to smoke his pipe, and Mr.Hickson had retired, the children, having overcome some of their timidity, turned their attention to Dorian.

The girl, the oldest, with dark hair and rosy cheeks, reminded him of another girl just then in his thoughts.

The two small boys were chubby and light haired, after the mother.

When Dorian managed to get the children close to him, they reminded him that Christmas was only one day distant.

Did he live near by?
Was he going home for Christmas?
What was Santa Claus going to bring him?
Dorian warmed to their sociability and their clatter.