nxiously.

"Come along then," said Himself. "_You_ must go back along the high road
as you came; we are going to play hide-and-seek; but don't be afraid,
you shall have your tree all right, even if it disappears sometimes."

They now marched along in the homeward direction; but as soon as they
came to the road leading out of the woods they vanished without a word
of leave-taking. However, Hansi had not gone far down the road, when she
saw a Christmas tree that appeared to be walking by itself across the
fields. Other people noticed it too, from the road, and thought how
queer it looked. "But _of course_, there is someone behind carrying it,"
they said to themselves, and thought no more of the matter. People
expect the usual before the unusual, naturally enough, and yet sometimes
the unusual is the most probable, as in this case.

Hansi was late for dinner, and had a fine scolding.

"At all events, I suppose you have done your lessons," said her mother.

"No, mother, I'm afraid not."

"Well, I never, playing again, I suppose? Now, what _can_ be the use of
playing, I should like to know?"

This was an exceptionally stupid question; for most people know that
little folk cannot grow mentally without play, any more than flowers can
grow without sunshine. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," is
not only a proverb, but it is true as well.

* * * * *

It was Christmas Eve. Hansi trembled with excitement. "What's the use of
getting so lively, Hansi?" said her big brother Paul despondently. "You
know quite well that we are not to have any tree this year. I shall get
a new pair of boots, and you a pinafore; these we should have to have
anyway. That's not what I call a merry Christmas."

"But the bells are ringing, don't you hear them? and don't you think you
can see just a glimmer of silver through the door?" said Hansi.

The children looked--well, really, perhaps there was a tree there after
all.

Just then their father came in tired, but jolly. "Is everything ready?
It is late, I have been detained so long," he said. "Can we go in at
once?"

"I haven't got a tree this year," whispered his wife in an anxious
voice. "I thought we couldn't afford it. What's the use of a Christmas
tree? We can spend our money in a more practical way!"

"What nonsense. No Christmas tree! but of course you are joking," said
her husband. "I will slip in, and light the candles." And with these
wor