Chapter I: Preface

THIS work now published under the title of "The Doctor's Christmas Eve" is the one earlier announced for publication under the title of "A Brood of the Eagle."

"The Doctor, Herbert and Elsie's father, our nearest neighbor,
your closest friend now in middle life--do you ever tire of the
Doctor and wish him away?"

"The longer I know him, the more I like him, honor him, trust
him."

--_The Bride of the Mistletoe._

CONTENTS

PART FIRST

I
PAGE
THE CHILDREN OF DESIRE 1

II
WHEN A SON FINDS OUT ABOUT HIS FATHER 32

III
THE BOOKS OF THE YEAR 69

IV
THE BOOK OF THE YEARS 107

V
EVERGREEN AND THORN TREE 195

PART SECOND

I
TWO OTHER WINTER SNOWBIRDS AT A WINDOW 213

II
FOUR IN A CAGE 233

III
THE REALM OF MIDNIGHT 258

IV
TIME-SPIRIT AND ETERNAL SPIRIT 271

V
WHEN A FATHER FINDS OUT ABOUT A SON 285

VI
LIVING OUT THE YEARS 297