The boys
had not the least intention of being naughty; but the storm kept
them shut up in the house, and they were overflowing with fun and
mischief, which was somewhat increased by the vague holiday
feeling that is in the very air around us at Christmas time. Jean
did her part well, restraining their boisterous shouts, making
peace in their small quarrels, proposing new entertainments when
the old ones had been worn threadbare, and, in the afternoon,
calling them all into a corner of the dining-room and telling them
marvellous old-time stories, to keep them quiet while their father
took his nap in the next room. Not much of a Christmas eve,
perhaps, compared with the stir and bustle of preparation at the
Hapgoods', or with the elaborate gifts which Mr. and Mrs. Lang had
bought for their only child; but after all, blessed be drudgery!
and the hard work and stern self-denial were doing much to round
Jean's character into the perfect womanhood, for which all our
girls were striving.
Slowly the day wore away; an endless one it appeared to Jean who,
with tired hands and weary head, longed for the hour when the
little ones should be tucked away for the night, and she could
give her nerves and her patience a little rest.
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