To speak truly, I had always enjoyed my visits.

But when the news came that, for the sake of the dear lady's health, the Kennions were starting for Bermuda, in the middle of December, it did not strike us desolate.

On the contrary Barbara clapped her hands in undisguised glee.
"It will do mother no end of good, and we can give Susan a real Christmas of her own." So we laid deep schemes to fill the house to overflowing and to have a roystering time.

First, for Susan's sake, we secured a widowed cousin of mine, Eileen Wetherwood, with her four children; and we sent out invitations to the _ban_ and _arriere ban_ of the county's juvenility, to say nothing of that of London, for a Boxing-day orgy.

Having accounted satisfactorily for Susan's entertainment, we thought, I hope in a Christian spirit, of our adult circle.