"Mrs. Howard."
The doctor brushed the child's soft curls; and Patricia, seeing the gravity of his eyes, caught her breath. "Your mother was resting very quietly when I left her just now, dear," he said, gently; then he turned to Archibald. "Did you find that trumpet in your stocking, young man?"
Archibald nodded. "I want my--"
"I found this!" Lydia held up one of Patricia's many dolls. They all crowded about him, claiming his attention, Totty demanding to be taken up.
"Got your hands full, Daddy?" Patricia laughed.
About the candle-lighted tree Patricia's small guests circled admiringly. It _had_ been a merry Christmas for the little travel-wrecked strangers; and now, with the tree, had come the culminating point of this long happy day.
"Isn't it pretty?" Norma came to lean against Patricia. "I wish Mama could see it."
"You must remember to tell her all about it," Patricia answered.
"Will I see her to-morrow?" Norma asked longingly.
"Perhaps," Patricia said; and when presently her father had to leave them, to go down to the hotel, she went with him to the door. "Daddy, you'll be back soon?"
"As soon as possible, dear."
"And--you think--with good news for them--all?"
"I hope so, dear."
Patricia went back to the library with sober face. "But at least," she thought, taking Totty on her lap, "they'll have had their Christmas."
It was far from soon before the doctor returned. Patricia's charges were in bed and asleep. Custard, who had been looking forward to bedtime all day, had retired to his basket--a disillusioned dog. To-night Archibald was finding all the solace needed in a gaily painted Noah's Ark. Miss Kirby was lying down in the sitting-room,--she had not found it a day of unbroken calm,--so that Patricia was alone in the library when her father returned.
He drew her down beside him on the lounge. "It _is_ good news for them all, Patricia, I think Norma and Totty may see their mother to-morrow. I have brought you a great deal of love, Patricia, from more than one mother; love and gratitude."
"Oh, I am glad they're all better!" Patricia said. "Daddy, I've been thinking; I don't see how we're ever going to get along after this without a Christmas family."
The doctor bent to kiss her. "What I've been thinking is what your 'family' would have done for their Christmas without you. I'm proud of you, Pat."
"O Daddy!" Patricia's eyes were shining.