And what compliment could be paid to a man so sweet as that?
What flattery could be more gratifying?
All my earthly heaven is with you; and now, for the delight of these immediately present months or so, there are left to me but three days of this heaven! Come, then; I will make the most of what happiness is given to me.

Crosbie felt it all as she felt it, and recognised the extent of the debt he owed her.

"I'll come down to them for a day at Christmas, though it be only for a day," he said to himself.

Then he reflected that as such was his intention, it might be well for him to open his present conversation with a promise to that effect.
"Yes, Lily; there are only three days left now.

But I wonder whether--I suppose you'll all be at home at Christmas ?" "At home at Christmas ?--of course we shall be at home.