No wonder, too, that Bertram, with his helpless right arm, and his heavy heart, felt peculiarly forlorn and "out of it." No wonder, also, that he took himself literally out of it with growing frequency.
Mr.and Mrs.Hartwell and little Kate were to stay at the Strata.

The boys, Paul and Egbert, were to go to Cyril's.

Promptly at the appointed time, two days before Christmas, they arrived.

And from that hour until two days after Christmas, when the last bit of holly, ribbon, tissue, and tinsel disappeared from the floor, Billy moved in a whirl of anxious responsibility that was yet filled with fun, frolic, and laughter.
It was a great success, the whole affair.

Everybody seemed pleased and happy--that is, everybody but Bertram; and he very plainly tried to seem pleased and happy.