\"Well，notrightin，\"Ianswered，\"Iifwearetobeliteral。Youwalkedontome；ifIhadnotstoppedyou，Isupposeyouwouldhavewalkedoverme。\"
\"ItisthisconfoundedChristmasbusiness，\"heexplained。\"Itdrivesmeoffmyhead。\"
\"IhaveheardChristmasadvancedasanexcuseformanythings，\"I
replied，\"butnotearlyinSeptember。\"
\"Oh，youknowwhatImean，\"heanswered，\"weareinthemiddleofourChristmasnumber。Iamworkingdayandnightuponit。Bythebye，\"headded，\"thatputsmeinmind。Iamarrangingasymposium，andIwantyoutojoin。’ShouldChristmas，’\"——Iinterruptedhim。