It is upon the anniversary of feasts that a family, if despondent at all, feels most despondent.

So it fell out that at Christmas-time the homesickness which hitherto had found its antidote in novelty and surprise now attacked the Rexford household.

The girls wept a good deal.
Sophia chid them for it sharply.

Captain Rexford carried a solemn face.
The little boys were in worse pickles of mischief than was ordinary.
Even Mrs.Rexford was caught once or twice, in odd corners, hastily wiping away furtive tears.
This general despondency seemed to reach a climax one afternoon some days before the end of the year.

Without, the wind was blowing and snow was descending; inside, the housework dragged monotonously.