comes to that, how do you know?” “He sent me a Christmas picture postcard last evening, one of the new ones, with the [Pg 52]season’s wishes and a lot of robins on one side and a ha-penny stamp with the address and a little bit of a letter on the other. Here it is. Shall I read it?” [Pg 52] “Yes,” said the Guv’nor rather grimly. Outside the gang, he understood Minkie better than anybody else, and he evidently wondered why she was making such a dead set against Schwartz. Minkie produced the card from the pocket which held the ju-ju. It was a deep pocket, lengthened by herself; she often needed it to hide a young rabbit when I had induced one to leave his home and friends, because keepers make a beastly fuss about these small matters if they hear of them. “It has the West Strand postmark, 9 A.M., December 24th,” said she, “and this is what he writes: ‘Dear Minkie: Just arrived from Marseilles, ex s.s. Persia. It was enough to freeze Dan’s tail off crossing the Channel, but I am glad to be here early, as I can do a bit of shopping (being in need of decoration) before I run down to Dale End. I shall be strolling past the Lodge about six o’clock, [Pg 53]and will be delighted if you are visible. Otherwise, we shall meet at Church to-morrow, and exchange winks if Grampus is there too. Yours ever, Jack. P.S. I have brought you a pet mongoose.’ That is all.” A.M. [Pg 53] “Quite enough, too. May I ask who ‘Grampus’ is?” said her father. “His uncle. Jack depends on him for his allowance, so he has to humor him, but he never agreed with him about that shooting squabble, you know.” “I know nothing about his views, and care less, and I do not wish you to exchange either postcards or winks with him or any of his name.” “Tom,” put in Mam, gently, “this is Christmas morning.” “I have not forgotten that, my dear. Nor have I forgotten this day two years ago, when the other Stanhope ignored my proffered hand before a dozen of our mutual acquaintances. You hear, Millicent? I have spoken.” “Yes, father dear, but it is such a pity about the mongoose. And I had a new word I wanted to surprise Jack with. Christmas [Pg 54]picture postcard
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