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      Christmas Holidays

       Table of Contents

      Heap on more wood—the wind is chill;

       But let it whistle as it will

       We’ll keep our Christmas merry still.

       Walter Scott

      “Hurrah! Christmas holidays at last!” said Susan, running into the house joyfully. She was just back from boarding-school with her brother Benny, who had broken up the same day.

      He came into the house behind her, carrying a heavy bag. His mother was paying the taxi outside. Benny set down the bag, and gave a yell.

      “Ann! Peter! Where are you? We’re back!”

      Ann and Peter were the younger brother and sister still at home. They came tearing down the stairs and flung themselves on Benny and Susan.

      “Oh! Welcome back! You’re earlier than we expected! Do you know we’re going to the pantomime on Boxing Day?”

      “Are there any Christmas cards for us?” said Susan. “Have any come yet? Ooooh—I do love Christmas time.”

      “Yes—the Christmas hols are the best of all,” said Benny, going off to help his mother with more luggage. “Presents—and puddings—and stockings—and cards—and Christmas trees—and pantomimes—it’s a lovely time!”

      “There are lots of cards already,” said Peter. “We haven’t opened yours, Susan, or Benny’s. And Mother’s ordered a fine Christmas tree—and we’ve stirred the Christmas pudding, and wished. It’s a pity you weren’t here to wish too.”

      “You haven’t got any decorations up yet,” said Susan, looking round. “I’m glad. I do so like to help with those. I don’t like you to begin Christmas customs without me here. I like to share in them all.”

      “That’s why we waited!” said Ann, jumping up and down. “We wanted you and Benny to share. What fun we shall have!”

      The luggage was brought in and taken up to the children’s bedrooms. Susan went once more into the room she shared with little Ann, and Benny ran into the one he shared with Peter. How good it was to be home again—and with Christmas to look forward to.

      The children unpacked, and Mother sorted out their clothes, some to be washed, some to be put away, some to be mended. They all talked at once at the tops of their voices.

      Mother laughed. “How any of you can hear what the others say when you don’t stop talking for one moment, I can’t think!” she said. “But it’s nice to hear you all. Benny, what has happened to this stocking? It doesn’t seem to have any foot.”

      “Benny won’t hang that stocking up on Christmas Eve,” said Ann, with a little giggle.

      “He won’t hang his stocking up any more, surely?” said Mother. “He’s too big. After all, he’s ten now.”

      “Well, I’m going to,” said Benny, firmly. “I don’t see why I shouldn’t, just because I’m ten. It doesn’t matter whether I believe in Santa Claus or not, I can still hang up my stocking, and I know it will be filled. So there, Mother!”

      “All right, Benny, you hang it up,” said Mother, still wondering how it was that Benny’s stocking had no foot. “It’s nice to keep up these old Christmas customs. There are such a lot of them.”

      “There are, aren’t there?” said Susan. “I wonder how they all began. Mother, why do we hang up our stockings—who first thought of that?”

      “I really don’t know,” said Mother.

      “And why do we put up holly and mistletoe?” said Ann. “Holly’s so prickly—it’s a silly thing to put up really, I think. And why do we kiss under the mistletoe?”

      “Oh

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