FullReads

“You can have both,” said Mr. Bird, promptly; “is there any need of my little girl’s going without her Christmas, I should like to know? Spend all the money you like.”

“But that isn’t the thing,” objected Carol, nestling close to her father; “it wouldn’t be mine. What is the use? Haven’t I almost everything already, and am I not the happiest girl in the world this year, with Uncle Jack and Donald at home? Now, Papa, you know very well it is more blessed to give than to receive; then why won’t you let me do it? You never look half as happy when you are getting your presents as when you are giving us ours. Now, Papa, submit, or I shall have to be very firm and disagreeable with you!”

“Very well, your Highness, I surrender.”

“That’s a dear Papa! Now, what were you going to give me? Confess!”

“A bronze figure of Santa Claus; and in the little round belly, that shakes, when he laughs, like a bowl full of jelly, is a wonderful clock. Oh, you would never give it up if you could see it.”

“Nonsense,” laughed Carol; “as I never have to get up to breakfast, nor go to bed, nor catch trains, I think my old clock will do very well! Now, Mama, what were you going to give me?”

“Oh, I hadn’t decided. A few more books, and a gold thimble, and a smelling-bottle, and a music-box.”

“Poor Carol,” laughed the child, merrily, “she can afford to give up these lovely things, for there will still be left Uncle Jack, and Donald, and Paul, and Hugh, and Uncle Rob, and Aunt Elsie, and a dozen other people.”

So Carol had her way, as she generally did, but it was usually a good way, which was fortunate, under the circumstances; and Sarah Maud had a set of Miss Alcott’s books, and Peter a modest silver watch, Cornelius a tool-chest, Clement a dog-house for his “lame puppy,” Larry a magnificent Noah’s ark, and each of the little girls a beautiful doll. You can well believe that everybody was very merry and very thankful. All the family, from Mr. Bird down to the cook, said they had never seen so much happiness in the space of three hours; but it had to end, as all things do. The candles flickered and went out, the tree was left alone with its gilded ornaments, and Mrs. Bird sent the children down stairs at half-past eight, thinking that Carol looked tired.

“Now, my darling, you have done quite enough for one day,” said Mrs. Bird, getting Carol into her little night-dress; “I am afraid you will feel worse to-morrow, and that would be a sad ending to such a good time.”

“Oh, wasn’t it a lovely, lovely time,” sighed Carol. “From first to last, everything was just right. I shall never forget Larry’s face when he looked at the turkey; nor Peter’s, when he saw his watch; nor that sweet, sweet Kitty’s smile when she kissed her dolly; nor the tears in poor, dull Sarah Maud’s eyes when she thanked me for her books; nor–“

“But we mustn’t talk any longer about it to-night,” said Mrs. Bird, anxiously; “you are too tired, dear.”

“I am not so very tired, Mama. I have felt well all day; not a bit of pain anywhere. Perhaps this has done me good.”

“Perhaps; I hope so. There was no noise or confusion; it was just a merry time. Now, may I close the door and leave you alone? I will steal in softly the first thing in the morning, and see if you are all right; but I think you need to be quiet.”

“Oh, I’m willing to stay alone; but I am not sleepy yet, and I am going to hear the music by and by, you know.”

“Yes, I have opened the window a little, and put the screen in front of it, so that you will not feel the air.”