Family about that but she had told Hagen. He wondered what new tale of woe she

Had for him now.

But the Christmas spirit seemed to have cheered her up. She just wanted to

Ask Hagen what her father would really like for Christmas. And Sonny and Fred

And Mike. She already knew what she would get her mother. Hagen made some

Suggestions, all of which she rejected as silly. Finally she let him go.

When the phone rang again, Hagen threw his papers back into the basket. The

hell with it. He'd leave. It never occurred to him to refuse to take the call, however.

When his secretary told him it was Michael Corleone he picked up the phone with

Pleasure. He had always liked Mike.

5 "Tom," Michael Corleone said, "I'm driving down to the city with Kay tomorrow.

There's something important I want to tell the old man before Christmas. Will he

be home tomorrow night?"

6 "Sure," Hagen said. "He's not going out of town until after Christmas. Anything

I can do for you?"

7 Michael was as closemouthed as his father. "No," he said. "I guess I'll see you

Christmas, everybody is going to be out at Long Beach, right?"

8 "Right," Hagen said. He was amused when Mike hung up on him without any

Small talk.

He told his secretary to call his wife and tell her he would be home a little late