It was the twentieth of December.

Without previous intimation, Irene came up alone to Ivy Cliff, startling her father by coming in suddenly upon him one dreary afternoon, just as the leaden sky began to scatter down the winter's first offering of snow.
"My daughter!" he exclaimed, so surprised that he could not move from where he was sitting.
"Dear father!" she answered with a loving smile, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him.
"Where is Hartley ?" asked the old man, looking past Irene toward the door through which she had just entered.
"Oh, I left him in New York," she replied.
"In New York! Have you come alone ?" "Yes.

Christmas is only five days off, you know, and I am here to help you prepare for it.

Of course, Hartley cannot leave his business." She spoke in an excited, almost gay tone of voice.

Mr.Delancy looked at her earnestly.