Mrs. Bagot and the children knelt down, and Mrs. Bagot began to cry. The Bishop raised his right hand and raised his face, and blessed them, and then he looked down at them, and offered each of them his ring to kiss. He started across the room as they were getting to their feet, and they followed him out to the front door where the chauffeur stood waiting. The chauffeur and the old man went slowly down the red path, and when they reached the gate Mrs. Bagot and the children walked after them and stood in a row outside the railing while the Bishop was helped into the back seat. He sank back out of sight at once. The chauffeur turned and saluted smartly, with a wink for Margaret, before he climbed into his own place and the car started off up the street to where it would turn at the dead end. Mrs. Bagot and the children remained where they were, waiting for the car to come back. It came rolling down the street and slowed as it approached them, and then it stopped and the Bishop leaned forward and looked at them once again, and they looked at him. They waved and he nodded at them, and then the car started off again and went on down the street and around the corner. The Bishop was gone.

Mrs. Bagot and the children went back into the sitting room and there was an argument about the chocolates, but finally both boxes were opened and Mrs. Bagot had first choice out of each box. Mrs. Bagot put her chocolates on the mantelpiece to save for later, but the children ate three each and Bennie got cake.

Christmas Eve

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