CHAPTER III.

CHRISTMAS-EVE.

EARLY the following morning a strong north wind set in, and before mid-day all signs of the previous rain had passed away. The travellers seemed none the worse for the long journey of the previous day.

Greater part of the day was spent by the girls in unpacking and "getting straight," as they called it. The boys were engaged in going over the grounds, Charlie being particularly anxious to show his cousins his stock of rabbits. These rabbits were kept in a retired part of the garden, walled off for various purposes. The nearest way to it was across a large triangular flower-bed at one corner of the lawn, and many were the feuds between the gardener and Charlie, because the latter would persist in stepping across the flower-bed to reach the rabbit

pens. These feuds generally ended in Charlie having the victory, his wit and fun making the vexed gardener forget his vexation in laughter at some droll antic or witty speech.

By the time the boys had finished their rambles, and the girls their unpacking and talking, the day was almost gone; and after a cozy tea, and what George and Charlie called "a jolly game at romps in the hall," they were all ready for the night's rest.

The morning of Christmas Eve was bitterly cold, but Mr. Melville thought a long walk would do them good. They all agreed breakfast all the

about it, and soon after

children were ready for it. Mark undertook to be guide, and all promised faithfully to follow. He took them his favourite walk, and pointed out the trees in which he had seen the squirrels play during the past summer, the spot where he had stood to listen to the nightingale in the dusk of the autumn evenings, and the place where he had once seen an encounter between a snake and a frog, in which he had helped the frog to escape. They reached home by dinnertime feeling tired and hungry.

The cold increased through the day, and all were glad to cluster round the fire in the library. The library at Sunberry Dale was a long room with two deep bay-windows looking out over a wide reach of green fields, from which it was separated only by a narrow strip of lawn, a low hedge, and a gravelled path. This room was the favourite one with all the Dale children; the bay-windows were their favourite seats in summer time, and with its soft carpet and heavy crimson curtains no room seemed so warm and cozy in the winter.

George and Nellie were standing looking through one of the windows, watching some wild fowl as they flew over the fields.

"Do you think it will snow, George? Mark says it will."

"How does Mark know it will snow?" "He says he never saw the clouds look like they do now, without its snowing; and I am sure it's dreadfully cold."

'Well, I don't know whether it will snow or not; I only hope it will, it is so jolly to have snow at Christmas."

"What are you young people talking about

here so seriously?" said Charlie, coming from the fire towards them.

Young people, indeed! pray what age are you, Mr. Greybeard? Here's Nellie declaring it's going to snow. What do you say

about it?"

'Well, I say that I think Nellie is right. I heard papa say he thought so, because of the clouds and the weather glass. I hope it will snow, because then it will seem like Christmas."

When they met in the library after tea there was a long debate as to what they should do, and there was much disagreement about it until Edith suggested a story from papa. "Just the thing," said Kate.

"Just the thing, a story from uncle John;" shouted all the voices; and they surrounded his chair to demand it.

“But what is it to be about, children? I am afraid I can't manage it."

"Yes, you can, papa," said Edith.

"Do let it be a real Christmas story, uncle," said Nellie.

"I should like it to be about fairies, papa," said Edith.

"A Christmas story, and a story about fairies," said Mr. Melville. "I fear that is a difficult thing; however we will try."

The table was pushed back, and the children grouped themselves round the fire; Mr. Melville sitting in a large easy chair in the middle opposite the fire, with Edith on one side and Nellie on the other. As soon as they were all comfortably seated, he began his story of

"THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY.

"You never saw a more beautiful creature than the Christmas Fairy. She was very, very tiny, but full of life and happiness, indeed she was so happy and cheerful at all times that all the inhabitants of fairy-land had unanimously agreed to call her 'Queen Joy.' She had a bright smile, and a kind word for everybody she met, and if she saw others in sorrow she instantly tapped them with her little wand which she called 'Peace,' and at once they became cheerful and happy. Queen Joy's possessions were not very numerous, but amongst them she had another wand which she called 'Good Purpose.' This wand she used chiefly at Christmas time; and she