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if of one mind, they threw themselves on the bed and buried their faces in the quilt in an effort to smother their laughter.
    When they turned on their sides their faces were wet, and when Pattie said, Òh, Daniel, you did sound funny. However did you manage to come out with something like that?` he replied in a measured tone,
    `Well, I seem to think like that, but usually I can never get it out.`
    `You got it out then, didn't you? It shook that big-mouthed Irishman. In fact, it shook the lot, Father most of all. Oh`--she put out her hand and caught his now--Ì wish you weren't going back to school.Ànd he, feeling a great warmth pass over him, said, Ì wish I wasn't either, Pattie.Ìn later years what he remembered most about that night was he and Pattie lying on the bed laughing until they cried, and that then she had held his hand.
    3
    The Christmas holidays were surprisingly cheerful. Daniel could not remember the house looking so bright and everybody so happy. He had
    been welcomed home with open arms 47 by Moira: she had kissed him twice, the second time after exclaiming on how much he had grown. Maggie Ann too had hugged him, and she had waltzed him round the kitchen. But although Rosie had pulled a face and said Maggie Ann was mad and that she would have everybody else in the same boat as herself before long, he had noticed straight away that she, herself, was different. He couldn't put his finger on why, or how, he only knew she was different--perhaps happier would have been a better description. Yet she didn't smile a lot or laugh, like both Moira and Maggie Ann did.
    And then there was his father. He had ruffled his hair as he exclaimed, `Well! well! I'll soon have to look out; you're sprouting like a bean pole. What do they feed you on in that place?`
    When, later that day, he had visited the farm everyone seemed in good spirits. Only one person appeared the same as when he had left the house in September and that was Pattie.
    He didn't see her until she came back from school; in fact, not until he went to meet her. He saw her from some way off and ran towards
    her; but she made no further move towards him. She was wearing a long coat, a scarf, and a fur bonnet and woollen mittens. She was all muffled up, except for her face which looked white and pinched.
    `Hello,` she said. `You've got back then?`
    `Hello, Pattie. By! isn't it cold?`
    `Well, looking at you, one wouldn't think so: you're not wearing a topcoat.`
    `No, I'm not.` He looked down at himself as if he were just discovering he was without an overcoat; then, turning to walk by her side, he said, `How are you?`
    `How am I?` She turned towards him. Ì'm sick and tired. I'm weary. And if there were any gypsies passing at this moment I'd beg to be taken away by them.`
    `Why?`
    `Becausè--her tone was vehement now--Ì'm sick to death of the two merry Marthas in that house.
    Laughter at breakfast, dinner, and tea--and supper. But it's all put on, you know, because I've seen those two when they are by themselves and there's been no laughter on their faces then: serious they've been, nattering away. Then when 49 I come on the scene it's "Ha! ha! ha!" doing their turn.
    They're clowns, you know, both of them. And there's something behind it all; nobody can laugh all the time.`
    `Well, Pattie, it's likely their nature: they laugh at troubles.`
    `Don't be silly, laugh at troubles.`
    Ànyway, is Father letting you go pupil-teaching?`
    Ì haven't asked him yet, but Miss Brooker is coming to see him tomorrow.`
    Ìt'll be all right, you'll see.` He went to take her arm, but checked himself in fear of being repulsed, because this was the old Pattie, not the girl who had lain on the bed with him and laughed until she cried.
    He said now, Ì hear there is going to be a party; quite a do on Christmas night. The Farringdons and the Talbots are coming, and Father said I could ask Ray; you know, Ray Melton from school, and to stay the night. Are you bringing anyone?`
    `Well,