s true. Christmas, Remember, is the
birthday of the Christ-Child, of Jesus, whom thou hast learned to love,"
Hannah answered softly.

"But what makes the English children so happy then? And we are English,
thou hast told me, Hannah. Why don't we keep Christmas, too?"

"In sooth we are English, child. But the reason why we do not sing the
Christmas carols or play the Christmas games makes a long, long story,
Remember. Hannah cannot tell it so that little children will understand.
Thou must ask some other, child."

Hannah and the little girl were just then near the two women on the
deck, and Remember said:

"Mistress Brewster, Hannah sayeth she knoweth not how to tell why Love
and Wrestling and Constance and the others do not sing the Christmas
songs or play the Christmas games. But thou wilt tell me wilt thou not?"
she added coaxingly.

A sad look came into Mistress Brewster's eyes, and Mistress Standish
looked grave, too. No one spoke for a few seconds, until Hannah said
almost sharply:

"Why could we not burn a Yule log Monday, and make some meal into little
cakes for the children?"

"Nay, Hannah," answered the gentle voice of Mistress Brewster. "Such
are but vain shows and not for those of us who believe in holier things.
But," she added, with a kind glance at little Remember, "wouldst thou
like to know why we have left Old England and do not keep the Christmas
Day? Thou canst not understand it all, child, and yet it may do thee no
harm to hear the story. It may help thee to be a brave and happy little
girl in the midst of our hard life."

"Surely it can do no harm, Mistress Brewster," spoke Rose Standish,
gently. "Remember is a little Pilgrim now, and she ought, methinks, to
know something of the reason for our wandering. Come here, child, and
sit by me, while good Mistress Brewster tells thee how cruel men have
made us suffer. Then will I sing thee one of the Christmas carols."

With these words she held out her hands to little Remember, who ran
quickly to the side of Mistress Standish, and eagerly waited for the
story to begin.

"We have not always lived in Holland, Remember. Most of us were born in
England, and England is the best country in the world. 'Tis a land to
be proud of, Remember, though some of its rulers have been wicked and
cruel.

"Long before you were born, when your mother was a little girl, the
English king said that everybody in the land ought to think as he
thought, and go to a chu