FullReads

‘Come, Lord Christ, and be our guest,
Take with us what Thou hast blest.’

When Hugh heard the words the German said he began to think of home and of many Christmas eves, and because he felt a strangeness in his head, he said, ‘I’m not well; I will go into the air.’ As he moved, he saw before him a man in the doorway. The face of the man was sad, and his garment was white as snow. He said, ‘Follow me.’ But no others, except Hugh, saw or heard. Now, when Hugh went outside, the man he had seen was gone; but being still confused, Hugh went over the hard snow and among trees, not knowing what he did; and at last after wandering a long time he came to a steep hillside. Here he slipped and rolling down fell over a high place. Down, down, down he fell, and he fell.”

“Oh! make him stop,” cried little Hugh.

“He fell on to a deep bed of soft snow and was not hurt, but soon got up, and thought he was buried in a white tomb. But soon he understood, and his head grew clearer, and he beat the snow away and got out. Then, first he said a prayer, and that was the only prayer he had said in a long time.”

“Oh my!” cried little Hugh. “I did think people could nevah sleep unless they say their prayers. That’s what nurse says. Doesn’t she, Alice?”

And just here Kris had to wipe his eyes, but he took the little fellow’s hand in his and went on.

“Soon he found shelter under a cliff, where no snow was, and with his flint and steel struck a light, and made with sticks and logs a big fire. After this he felt warm and better all over and fell asleep. When he woke up it was early morning, and looking about, he saw in the rock little yellow streaks and small lumps, and then he knew he had found a great mine of gold no man had ever seen before. By and by he got out of the valley and found his companions, and in the spring he went to his mine, which, because he had found it, was all his own, and he got people to work there and dig out the gold. After that he was no longer poor, but very, very rich.”

“And was he good then?” said Hugh.

“And did he go home,” said Alice, “and buy things?”

“Yes, he went. One day he went home and at night saw his house and little children, and–but he will not stay, because there is no love waiting in his house, and all the money in the world is no good unless there is some love too. You see, dear, a house is just a house of brick and mortar, but when it is full of love, then it is a home.”

“I like that man,” said Hugh. “Tell me more.”

“But first,” said Alice, “oh! we do want to see all our presents.”

“Ah, well. That is all, I think; and the presents. Now for the presents.” Then he opened a bag and took out first a string of great pearls, and said, as he hung them around Alice’s neck, “There, these the oysters made for you years ago under the deep blue sea. They are for a wedding gift from Chris. They are too fine for a little maid. No Queen has prettier pearls. But when you are married and some one you love vexes you or is unkind, look at these pearls, and forgive, oh! a hundred times over; twice, thrice, for every pearl, because Kris said it. You won’t understand now, but some day you will.”

“Yes, sir,” said Alice, puzzled, and playing with the pearls.

Said Hugh, “You said, Mr. Khwis, that the oysters make pearls. Why do the oysters make pearls?”

“I will tell you,” replied Kris. “If a bit of something rough or sharp gets inside the oyster’s house, and it can’t be got rid of, the oyster begins to make a pearl of it, and covers it over and over until the rough, rude thing is one of these beautiful pearls.”