ds he disappeared into the inner room, now so mysterious to the
waiting children.

Poor Mrs Herzchen nearly began to cry. If only she had not been so
silly! Never, never would she neglect to get a tree again! She ought to
have considered other people's prejudices, and Christmas--O well,
Christmas only comes once a year.

"I've got a surprise for mother," whispered Gretel, aged ten. "I am
going to recite a Christmas poem." "And I am going to tell the Christmas
story from the Bible," said Hansi. "I have made a letter-box for
father," said Fritz.

"Hush, hush! the bells are ringing--don't you hear them across the
snow?" the children whispered to one another. "But what is that other
bell, so soft, so musical and clear!" "That is the summons for us all to
enter," said Paul.

The door flew open, and there stood the most lovely Christmas tree they
had ever seen or imagined, all dazzling with silver; silver cones,
silver fish, silver nuts and acorns, and red candles, and over all an
exquisitely spun cobweb of frost. "That's my surprise for you all," said
Hansi, who could hardly contain herself for joy. "I found the tree, and
the dear, darling Heinzelmen brought it home for me."

Mrs Herzchen was speechless with astonishment, and her husband not less
so. "How very extravagant," they said, "but how elegant and beautiful!
Who can have given it to us?"

But now the children began to sing the sweet German carol sung in every
house on Christmas Eve: "O peaceful night, O holy night," and then, in
her earnest, childish way, Hansi told the story of the birth of the
Christ-child in the Manger of Bethlehem.

Gretel then stood up eagerly to recite the carol she had learnt at
school.

THE CHILDREN'S KING.

"Dear children come
On Christmas night,
Put on your gowns
Of purest white.

Speak not a word
Until you see
The sweet Christ child
On Mary's knee.

There lies the Babe
An Infant frail.
Is this the King
Whom nations hail?

A helpless King!
His mother's arm
Must hold him safe
From threatened harm.

A tender King,
Most young and sweet,
With dimpled hands
And tiny feet!

A Baby King:
Yet cherubim
Veil their bright eyes
To look on Him.

A mighty King!
For God above
Has crowned Him Lord
And King of Love.

Come kneel and pray,
Ye children dear,
The children's King
Is lying here!"

A glow of warmth and happines