and how are you? Are you the goddess in the car, or the woman in
the case? And may I wish you a very happy New Year? I said it
first."

"Try the woman in the car."

"One moment," said I. "I know."

"What?"

"I know who you are. Just fancy."

"Who am I?

"Why, you're New Year's Eve."

A little laugh answered me.

"I know I've dreamed that laugh," said I. "However, where were
we? Oh, I know. And your father, Christmas, has gone for help.
If I know anything, he won't be back again for ages. Seriously,
how did what happen?"

"Chauffeur took the turn rather late, and next moment we were up
the bank and in this wretched drift. It wasn't altogether the
man's fault. One of our head-lights wouldn't work, and you
couldn't see the drift till we were in it."

"He might have known better than to run so close to the hedge
these days."