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mirrors set in the walls； reflecting only the watery landscape； and unable
to give the least indication of light or heat within。 Nevertheless； there
was a fire in Mulrady's private office that December afternoon； of a smoky；
intermittent variety； that sufficed more to record the defects of hasty
architecture than to comfort the millionaire and his private secretary； who
had lingered after the early withdrawal of the clerks。 For the next day
was Christmas； and； out of deference to the near approach of this festivity；
a half…holiday had been given to the employees。 〃They'll want； some of
them； to spend their money before to…morrow； and others would like to be
able to rise up comfortably drunk Christmas morning；〃 the superintendent
had suggested。 Mr。 Mulrady had just signed a number of checks
indicating his largess to those devoted adherents with the same
unostentatious； undemonstrative； matter…of…fact manner that distinguished
his ordinary business。 The men had received it with something of the same
manner。 A half… humorous 〃Thank you； sir〃as if to show that； with their
patron； they tolerated this deference to a popular custom； but were a little
ashamed of giving way to itexpressed their gratitude and their
independence。
〃I reckon that the old lady and Mamie are having a high old time in
some of them gilded pallises in St。 Petersburg or Berlin about this time。
Them diamonds that I ordered at Tiffany ought to have reached 'em about
now； so that Mamie could cut a swell at Christmas with her war…paint。 I
suppose it's the style to give presents in furrin' countries ez it is here； and I
allowed to the old lady that whatever she orders in that way she is to do in
Californy styleno dollar…jewelry and galvanized…watches business。 If
she wants to make a present to any of them nobles ez has been purlite to
her； it's got to be something that Rough…and…Ready ain't ashamed of。 I
showed you that pin Mamie bought me in Paris； didn't I？ It's just come
for my Christmas present。 No！ I reckon I put it in the safe； for them
kind o' things don't suit my style： but s'pose I orter sport it to…morrow。 It
was mighty thoughtful in Mamie； and it must cost a lump； it's got no
slouch of a pearl in it。 I wonder what Mamie gave for it？〃
〃You can easily tell； the bill is here。 You paid it yesterday；〃 said
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Slinn。 There was no satire in the man's voice； nor was there the least
perception of irony in Mulrady's manner； as he returned quietly；
〃That's so； it was suthin' like a thousand francs； but French money；
when you pan it out as dollars and cents； don't make so much； after all。〃
There was a few moments' silence； when he continued； in the same tone of
voice； 〃Talkin' o' them things； Slinn； I've got suthin' for you。〃 He stopped
suddenly。 Ever watchful of any undue excitement in the invalid； he had
noticed a slight flush of disturbance pass over his face； and continued
carelessly； 〃But we'll talk it over to…morrow； a day or two don't make
much difference to you and me in such things； you know。 P'raps I'll drop in
and see you。 We'll be shut up here。〃
〃Then you're going out somewhere？〃 asked Slinn； mechanically。
〃No；〃 said Mulrady； hesitatingly。 It had suddenly occurred to him
that he had nowhere to go if he wanted to； and he continued； half in
explanation； 〃I ain't reckoned much on Christmas； myself。 Abner's at the
Springs； it wouldn't pay him to come here for a day even if there was
anybody here he cared to see。 I reckon I'll hang round the shanty； and
look after things generally。 I haven't been over the house upstairs to put
things to rights since the folks left。 But YOU needn't come here； you
know。〃
He helped the old man to rise； assisted him in putting on his overcoat；
and than handed him the cane which had lately replaced his crutches。
〃Good…by； old man！ You musn't trouble yourself to say 'Merry
Christmas' now； but wait until you see me again。 Take care of yourself。〃
He slapped him lightly on the shoulder； and went back into his private
office。 He worked for some time at his desk； and then laid his pen aside；
put away his papers methodically； placing a large envelope on his private
secretary's vacant table。 He then opened the office door and ascended the
staircase。 He stopped on the first landing to listen to the sound of rain on
the glass skylight； that seemed to echo through the empty hall like the
gloomy roll of a drum。 It was evident that the searching water had found
out the secret sins of the house's construction； for there were great fissures
of discoloration in the white and gold paper in the corners of the wall。
There was a strange odor of the dank forest in the mirrored drawing…room；
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as if the rain had brought out the sap again from the unseasoned timbers；
the blue and white satin furniture looked cold； and the marble mantels and
centre tables had taken upon themselves the clamminess of tombstones。
Mr。 Mulrady； who had always retained his old farmer…like habit of taking
off his coat with his hat on entering his own house； and appearing in his
shirt…sleeves； to indicate domestic ease and security； was obliged to
replace it； on account of the chill。 He had never felt at home in this room。
Its strangeness had lately been heightened by Mrs。 Mulrady's purchase of
a family portrait of some one she didn't know； but who； she had alleged；
resembled her 〃Uncle Bob；〃 which hung on the wall beside some paintings
in massive frames。 Mr。 Mulrady cast a hurried glance at the portrait that；
on the strength of a high coat…collar and high top curlboth rolled with
equal precision and singular sameness of colorhad always glared at
Mulrady as if HE was the intruder； and； passing through his wife's
gorgeous bedroom； entered the little dressing…room； where he still slept on
the smallest of co