A new young man had appeared on the scene at the house party, and she was trying him out. Also it was true that she hadn’t been up very long, for the festivities of the night before had lasted far into the morning, ending with scrambled eggs for everybody, and they had slept late as Alan had known they would do. And then there had been a hilarious breakfast at noon. That took time. But now for a few moments there was a cessation of amusements and Demeter had returned to the fray. Alan arose reluctantly with a frown of annoyance. He didn’t want to be interrupted now. He didn’t want to talk to Demeter Cass. She was a false note in this perfect harmony. The family hushed their cheerful clamor when he went to the telephone lest they would annoy him, and so they could not help hearing his short replies. “Yes? Oh, is that you, Demeter? Merry Christmas!… Yes, I got your message but I thought you’d just about be getting up. I didn’t get up very early myself. I had a long hard hike in the storm last night….Why didn’t I telephone?
