Christmas Day
We were escorted by a number of gentleman-like dogs
ILLUSTRATIONS
We were escorted by a number of gentleman-like dogs
The editions of Caxton and Wynkin de Worde were his delight
Winding all up by a nasal solo
The dinner was served up in the Great Hall
The little beings were as happy about him as the mock fairies about Falstaff
WHEN I awoke the next morning, itseemed as if all the events of thepreceding evening had been a dream,and nothing but the identity of theancient chamber convinced me of their reality.While I lay musing on my pillow, Iheard the sound of little feet patteringoutside of the door, and a whispering consultation.Presently a choir of small voiceschanted forth an old Christmas carol, theburden of which was:
I rose softly, slipped on my clothes, openedthe door suddenly, and beheld one of themost beautiful little fairy groups that apainter could imagine.
It consisted of a boy and two girls, theeldest not more than six, and lovely asseraphs. They were going the rounds ofthe house, and singing at every chamberdoor; but my sudden appearance frightenedthem into mute bashfulness. They remainedfor a moment playing on their lipswith their fingers, and now and then stealinga shy glance from under their eyebrows,until, as if by one impulse, they scamperedaway, and as they turned an angle of thegallery, I heard them laughing in triumphat their escape.
The house was surrounded with evergreens,according to the English custom,which would have given almost an appearanceof summer; but the morning wasextremely frosty; the light vapour of thepreceding evening had been precipitated bythe cold, and covered all the trees and everyblade of grass with its fine crystallisations.
I had scarcely dressed myself, when aservant appeared to invite me to familyprayers. He showed me the way to a smallchapel in the old wing of the house, whereI found the principal part of the familyalready assembled in a kind of gallery, furnishedwith cushions, hassocks, and largeprayer-books; the servants were seated onbenches below. The old gentleman readprayers from a desk in front of the gallery,and Master Simon acted as clerk, and madethe resp