is a lamp, lighted, and an unlighted candle; also some other things
that you'll hear about later. There is a cupboard against the back
wall. At one side of the room is the door leading out of doors; beside
it is a large wood box, where the fire-wood is kept; and nearby are a
broom, leaning against the wall, and a dustpan. On the other side of
the room is another door, which leads to the rest of the house; beside
that is a big clothes basket, where the soiled clothes are kept. Close
to the fire, one on each side, the Grandfather and the Grandmother are
sitting in comfortable chairs. Near the front and a little at one side
are a table and a chair. On the table is a dishpan and a number of
dishes, which the Mother is washing when the curtain opens.

The first one to speak is the GRANDMOTHER, and this is what she
says: Haven't you nearly finished, Mary?

Yes, almost, answers MOTHER: only a few more things to be washed,
and then I can sit down and rest.

GRANDMOTHER asks, Is everything ready for the Christmas dinner
tomorrow?

Every single thing, MOTHER answers. The goose is ready to go on the
fire; the apple sauce is made; the bread and the pies are baked; and
the plum pudding--well, you saw the pudding yourself, so that I don't
need to tell you about that. It's a beauty, if I do say so.

At this moment the outside door opens, and the two children, Walter
and Gertrude, run in. Their coats and mittens show that they have been
playing in the snow.

Oh, Mother, says WALTER, it's getting dark outside. May we come in
now? Is your work all done?

Not quite yet, dears, his MOTHER answers. Run out, both of you,
for ten minutes more, and then I'll have everything cleared away. It
makes me nervous to have you about while things are in a mess.

All right, mother, says GERTRUDE. Come on, Walter, I'll race you to
the gate. And both the children go out-of-doors again, running.
Gertrude was nearer the door, and gets out first.

Such energy as those children have! exclaims MOTHER, with a sigh,
as she goes on with her work. Sometimes it makes me tired to watch
them. There, every last thing is washed, and now, when I've dried
them, I can sit down. She goes on talking while she dries. There's
one thing I haven't had time to do--those paper caps. I suppose the
children will be disappointed, but I simply couldn't find time to make
them. The colored paper and paste and scissors are all on the mantel
shelf and I suppose I ought to si