Why, Mother, after I stepped in that hole and turned my ankle I thought it was all up with me. I knew no one could reasonably find us before morning even if they sent out search parties in that storm, and by morning I was sure we would be frozen dead. Alan here had been all in for a long time, and I didn’t see how he was ever going to make it, not being used to the mountain the way I am, and then when I found I couldn’t walk alone, what did he do but just pick me up and sling me over his shoulder and struggle on. He didn’t know where he was going, and I couldn’t see to tell him. And I’m no sack of feathers to carry, you know, but he just kept on as if he had new strength. I don’t know how he ever thought he was going to find the way, but he would keep on. He wouldn’t leave me behind, and he wouldn’t take my suggestion of digging a snow hut and crawling in. He just plugged away, and somehow we got here.”

“Well.” Alan grinned. “I figured that if we kept on long enough we’d surely come to something somewhere, and I didn’t want to go alone. I felt if you had courage to go out in that storm with a stranger up that awful mountain, that I surely ought to hold out to get you home!”

Ruth looked up from her post beside Lance’s couch where she was feeding spoonfuls of soup as often as he would stop talking long enough to take one, and thought what nice eyes the stranger had, and Daryl murmured as she offered another mouthful of soup to Alan, “I shall never be able to thank you enough for saving my brother!”

Alan looked up and caught the gratitude in those lovely eyes and was startled at their beauty. Suddenly it seemed a wonderful thing to be sitting there in the old-fashioned armchair with that comfortable sense of warmth and well-being stealing over him, and that lovely girl ministering to him. It seemed to his weary senses that it was worth all the toil and hardship and cold and terror through which he had passed.

And now the meal was on the table, and the two young men declared they were able to sit up and act like men. But it was on very shaky limbs that they moved to their places.

Again Alan experienced that feeling of awe as the old man bowed his head and spoke to God.

“Lord, we cannot thank Thee enough for bringing our two boys back safely to us. We rejoice that Thou art a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God, and that Thou hast heard and answered us tonight. Bless this food to their needs and make us fit for Thy service. Amen.”

It warmed Alan’s heart that he should be included in the thanksgiving. “Our two boys!” As if he belonged, too! And he suddenly wished that he really did! What a circle to be in by right! It must be something like his mother’s family whom he had never known. And then a sudden memory of the house party to which he was due that night came to mind, and his soul revolted at the thought. What a contrast it would be. Drinking and dancing and unholy riotous music! How had he ever thought he could go among them? Just for the doubtful companionship of one girl, whom he wondered if he really admired anyway. Somehow the stern realities of life and death as he had faced them all those hours out there in the storm had given him a new sense of values that he felt he never would forget! Values that he did not want to forget! This home, even the brief glimpse he had had, showed that there was still beauty and love and good fellowship left upon the earth, still a real spirit of Christmas to be found if one looked in the right place for it.

In the morning of course he would have to go on his way as soon as he could get transportation. Even if he had to leave his car behind for repairs and take to the train, but that way would not lead to the house party. He was certain of that now. Tonight had opened his eyes. But of course he must get out of here as soon as possible. He must not intrude upon their Christmas, kind as these people had been. He was conscious of a relief that Demeter Cass and her crowd could not find him tonight. He was lost out of their kind and need not fear invasion even by the telephone. He would have plenty of time to think things over and find out just where he stood before he saw Demeter again; and tonight, at least what little was left of it, was his. Even with his weary body, exhausted almost to the breaking point, he was enjoying every minute of the time.

The meal was cooked perfectly.

“I don’t see how you came to put the potatoes in at just the right time, Mother,” said Daryl.