' And I did hope that _Cecilia de Noel_ was going to be
just the very sort of book for a winter's fireside. Disappointed.
There is a ghost in it, and there's _Cecilia de Noel_ (good
Christmassy name, isn't it?) who instructs the ghost in his neglected
Catechism; for the ghost is as much an Atheist as the unbelieving
Sadducee in this same story, who, after all, is not converted. 'Alas!
Poor Ghost!' Very poor ghost! Bring me another ghost!" cries the
Baron. No other ghost is forthcoming to the invocation, but a book is
placed in his hands entitled _Fourteen to One_. The Baron was about
to dismiss it as a betting book--judging by its title--when his eye
caught the name of ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS as authoress. So he read
many of the short stories therein. She has in many places the touch of
DICKENS. All are good; but for pathos, keen observation, and dramatic
surprise, "give me," says the Baron, emphatically, "the short story of
_The Madonna of the Tubs_." Admirable! Those who take and act upon the
Baron's tip, will do well to ask for _Fourteen to One_, and see that
they get it.
What are the Baron's sentiments as to Christmas things? He refused
to have anything to say to games and cards.
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