[CHAPTER XIV.]
THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
"Christmas gifts for thee,
Grand and free!
Christmas gifts from the King of love,
Brought from his royal home above;
Brought to thee in the far-off land,
Brought to thee by his own dear hand."
THE Christmas holidays had just commenced, when Archie Warner, followed by Claude and little Ruth, ran into the parlour of the Grove, where they found Priscilla seated at work.
"Hurrah for six weeks' holidays!" said Archie, throwing a bundle of books on the table. "And Austin will be here on Christmas eve, and we must give him a famous welcome, Prissy. And we want to get up a tree this year. You know we used to have one always when mother was alive; and we could have a jolly one this year. The M'Ivors could come, and—"
"O Archie," interrupted his sister, "don't speak of it. Think on our poor father; and then how could I possibly spare the time to prepare it? I am sorry, but really I don't think it could be managed."
A shade crossed the boy's face.
And even little Ruth said, "O Prissy, tan't we have a tree? 'Twould be so nice."
But Archie muttered—
"Oh, well, it does not matter, only all the other fellows are having one; and as to our father, I'm sure I wouldn't for worlds have anything he would not like, or you either, Prissy. I did not think about the trouble, but just hearing all the others talking about the fun they were going to have in the holidays put it into my head."