Gabriel glanced down at his aunts and, seeing the large smile on Aunt Julia’s face and the tears which had risen to Aunt Kate’s eyes, hastened to his close. He raised his glass of port gallantly, while every member of the company fingered a glass expectantly, and said loudly:

‘Let us toast them all three together. Let us drink to their health, wealth, long life, happiness and prosperity, and may they long continue to hold the proud and self-won position which they hold in their profession and the position of honour and affection which they hold in our hearts.’

All the guests stood up, glass in hand, and turning towards the three seated ladies, sang in unison, with Mr. Browne as leader:

Aunt Kate was making frank use of her handkerchief and even Aunt Julia seemed moved. Freddy Malins beat time with his pudding-fork and the singers turned towards one another, as if in melodious conference, while they sang with emphasis:

Then, turning once more towards their hostesses, they sang:

The acclamation which followed was taken up beyond the door of the supper room by many of the other guests and renewed time after time, Freddy Malins acting as officer with his fork on high.

The piercing morning air came into the hall where they were standing so that Aunt Kate said:

‘Close the door, somebody. Mrs. Malins will get her death of cold.’

‘Browne is out there, Aunt Kate,’ said Mary Jane.

‘Browne is everywhere,’ said Aunt Kate, lowering her voice.

Mary Jane laughed at her tone.

‘Really,’ she said archly, ‘he is very attentive.’

‘He has been laid on here like the gas,’ said Aunt Kate in the same tone, ‘all during the Christmas.’

She laughed herself this time good-humouredly and then added quickly:

‘But tell him to come in, Mary Jane, and close the door. I hope to goodness he didn’t hear me.’

At that moment the hall-door was opened and Mr. Browne came in from the doorstep, laughing as if his heart would break. He was dressed in a long green overcoat with mock astrakhan cuffs and collar and wore on his head an oval fur cap. He pointed down the snow-covered quay from where the sound of shrill prolonged whistling was borne in.

‘Teddy will have all the cabs in Dublin out,’ he said.

Gabriel advanced from the little pantry behind the office, struggling into his overcoat and, looking round the hall, said,

‘Gretta not down yet?’