back home-第30部分

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ls　outside　the　window　felt　an　emptiness　in　the　hollow　of　their　left　arms　as　they　gazed。　　There　was　one　big　doll　in　the　middle　all　dressed　up。　　It　had　real　hair　that　you　could　comb；　and　it　was　wax。　　Pure　wax！　　Yes；　sir。　　And　it　could　open　and　shut　its　eyes；　and　if　you　squeezed　its　stomach　it　would　cry；　of　course；　not　like　a　real　baby；　but　more　like　one　of　those　ducks　that　stand　on　a　sort　of　bellows　thing。　　Though　they　all　〃chose〃　that　doll　and　hoped　for　miracles；　none　of　them　really　expected　to　find　it　in　her　stocking　sixteen　days　later。　　（They　kept　count　of　the　days。）　　Maybe　Bell　Brown　might　get　it；　her　pa　bought　her　lots　of　things。　　She　had　parlor　skates　and　a　parrot；　only　her　ma　wouldn't　let　her　skate　in　the　parlor；　it　tore　up　the　carpet　so；　and　the　parrot　bit　her　finger　like　anything。

The　little　boys　kicked　their　copper…toed　boots　to　keep　warm　and　quarreled　about　which　one　chose　the　train　of　cars　first；　and　then　began　to　quarrel　over　an　army　of　soldiers。

〃I　choose　them！〃

〃A…aw！　　You　choosed　the　ingine　and　the　cars。〃

〃Dung　care。　　I　choose　everything　in　this　whole　window。〃

〃A…aw！　　That　ain't　fair！〃

In　the　midst　of　the　wrangle　somebody　finds　out　that　Johnny　Pym　has　a　piece　of　red　glass；　and　then　they　begin　fighting　for　turns　looking　through　it　at　the　snow　and　the　court…house。　　But　not　for　long。　　They　fall　to　bragging　about　what　they　are　going　to　get　for　Christmas。　Eddie　Cameron　was　pretty　sure　he　'd　get　a　spy…glass。　　He　asked　his　pa；　and　his　pa　said　〃Mebby。　　He'd　see　about　it。〃　　Then；　just　in　time；　they　looked　up　and　saw　old　man　Nicholson　coming　along　with　his　shawl　pinned　around　him。　　They　ran　to　the　other　side　of　the　street　because　he　stops　little　boys；　and　pats　them　on　the　head；　and　asks　them　if　they　have　found　the　Savior。　　It　makes　some　boys　cry　when　he　asks　them　that。

The　Rowan　twins　…　Alfaretta　and　Luanna　May　…　are　working　a　pair　of　slippers　for　their　pa；　one　apiece；　because　it　is　such　slow　work。　Along　about　suppertime　they　make　Elmer　Lonnie　stay　outside　and　watch　for　his　coming；　and　he　has　to　say　：　〃Hello；　pa！〃　very　loud；　and　romp　with　him　outside　the　gate　so　as　to　give　the　twins　time　to　gather　up　the　colored　zephyrs　and　things；　and　hide　them　in　the　lower　bureau　drawer　in　the　spare　bedroom。　　At　such　a　time　their　mother　finds　an　errand　that　takes　her　into　the　parlor　so　that　she　can　see　that　they　do　not；　by　any　chance；　look　into　the　middle　drawer　in　the　farther　left…hand　corner；　under　the　pillow…slips。

One　night；　just　at　supper…time；　Elmer　Lonnie　said：　〃Hello；　pa！〃　and　then　they　heard　pa　whispering　and　Elmer　Lonnie　came　in　looking　very　solemn　…　or　trying　to　…　and　said：　〃Ma；　Miss　Waldo　wants　to　know　if　you　won't　please　step　over　there　a　minute。〃

〃Did　she　say　what　for？　　Because　I'm　right　in　the　midst　of　getting　supper。　　I　look　for　your　pa　any　minute　now；　and　I　don't　want　to　keep　him　waiting。〃

〃No　'm；　she　didn't　say　what　for。　　She　jist　said：　'Ast　yer　ma　won't　she　please　an'　step　over　here　a　minute。'　　I　wouldn't　put　anythin'　on。　'T　ain't　cold。　　You　needn't　stay　long；　only　till　。　。　。　I　guess　she's　in　some　of　a　hurry。〃

〃Well；　if　Harriet　Waldo　thinks　'at　I　haven't　anythin'　better　to　do　'n　trot　around　after　her　at　her　beck　an'　。　。　。　。　All　right；　I'll　come。〃

The　twins　got　their　slippers　hid；　and　Mrs。　Rowan　threw　her　shawl　over　her　head；　and　went　next　door　to　take　Mrs。　Waldo　completely　by　surprise。　　The　good　woman　immediately　invented　an　intricate　problem　in　crochet　work　demanding　instant　solution。　　　Mr。　Rowan　had　brought　home　a　crayon　enlargement　of　a　daguerreotype　of　Ma；　taken　before　she　was　married；　when　they　wore　their　hair　combed　down　over　their　ears；　and　wide　lace　collars　fastened　with　a　big　cameo　pin；　and　puffed　sleeves　with　the　armholes　nearly　at　the　elbows。　　They　wore　lace　mitts　then；　too。　　The　twins　thought　it　looked　so　funny；　but　Pa　said：　〃It　was　all　the　style　in　them　days。　　Laws！　　I　mind　the　first　time　I　took　her　home　from　singin'　school。　。　。　。　　Tell　you　where　less　hide　it。　　In　between　the　straw　tick；　and　the　feather　tick。〃　　And　Luanna　May　said：　〃What　if　company　should　come？〃　　Elmer　Lonnie　ran　over　to　Mrs。　Waldo's　to　tell　Ma　that　Pa　had　come　home；　and　wanted　his　supper　right　quick；　because　he　had　to　get　back　to　the　store；　there　was　so　much　trade　in　the　evenings　now。

〃I　declare；　Emmeline　Rowan；　you're　gettin'　to　be　a　reg'lar　gadabout；〃　said　Mr。　Rowan；　very　savagely。　　〃Gad；　gad；　gad；　from　mornin'　till　night。　　Ain't　they　time　in　daylight　fer　you　an'　Hat　Waldo　to　talk　about　your　neighbors　'at　you　can't　stay　home　long　enough　to　git　me　my　supper？〃

He　winked　at　the　twins　so　funny　that　Alfaretta；　who　always　was　kind　of　flighty；　made　a　little　noise　with　her　soft　palate　and　tried　to　pass　it　off　for　a　cough。　　Luanna　May　poked　her　in　the　ribs　with　her　elbow；　and　Mrs。　Rowan　spoke　up　quite　loud：　〃Why；　Pa；　how　you　go　on！　　I　wasn't　but　a　minute；　an'　you　hardly　ever　come　before　halfpast。　And　furthermore；　mister；　I　want　to　know　how　I'm　to　keep　this　house　a…lookin'　like　anything　an'　you　a…trackin'　in　snow　like　that。　　Just　look　at　you。　　I　sh'd　think　you'd　know　enough　to　stomp　your　feet　before　you　come　in。　　Luanna　May；　you　come　grind　the　coffee。　　Alfie；　run　git　your　Pa　his　old　slippers。〃　　That　set　both　of　them　to　giggling；　and　Mrs。　Rowan　went　out　into　the　kitchen　and　began　to　pound　the　beefsteak。

〃D'　you　think　she　sispicioned　anythin'？〃　asked　Mr。　Rowan　out　of　one　side　of　his　mouth；　and　Elmer　Lonnie　said；　〃No；　sir；〃　and　wondered　if　his　Pa　〃sispicioned　anythin〃'　when　Ma　said；　〃Run　git　the　old　slippers。〃

Mr。　Waldo　always　walked　up　with　Mr。　Rowan；　and　just　about　that　time　his　little　Mary　Ellen　was　climbing　up　into　his　lap　and　saying：　〃I　bet　you　can't　guess　what　I'm　a…goin'　to　buy　you　for　a　Christmas　gift　with　my　pennies　what　I　got　saved　up。〃

〃I'll　just　bet　I　can。〃

〃No；　you　can't。　　It's　awful　pretty　…　I　mean；　they're　awful　pretty。　Somepin　you　want；　too。〃　　How　could　he　guess　with　her　fingering　his　tarnished　cuff　buttons　and　looking　down　at　them　every　minute　or　two？

〃Well；　now；　let　me　see。　　Is　it　a　gold　watch？〃

〃Nope。〃

〃Aw；　now！　I　jist　set　my　heart　on　a　gold　watch　and　chain。〃

〃Well；　but　it'd　cost　more　money　'n　I　got。　　Three　or　fifteen　dollars；　mebby。〃

〃Well；　let　me　see。　　Is　it　a　shotgun？〃

〃No；　sir。　　Oh；　you　just　can't　guess　it。〃

〃Is　it　a　…　a　…　Is　it　a　horse　and　buggy？〃

〃Aw；　now；　you're　foolin'。　　No；　it　ain't　a　horse　and　buggy。〃

〃I　know　what　it　is。　　It's　a　dolly　with　real　hair　that　you　can　comb；　and　all　dressed　up　in　a　blue　dress。　　One　that　can　shut　its　eyes　when　it　goes　bye…bye。〃

Little　Mary　Ellen　looks　at　him　very　seriously　a　minute；　and　sighs；　and　says：　〃No；　it　ain't　that。　　But　if　it　was；　wouldn't　you　let　me　play　with　it　when　you　was　to　the　store？〃　　And　he　catches　her　up　in　his　arms　and　says：　〃You　betchy！　　Now；　I　ain't　goin'　to　guess　any　more！　　I　want　to　be　surprised。　　You　jump　down　an'　run　an'　ask　Ma　if　supper　ain't　most　ready。　　Tell　her　I'm　as　hungry　as　a　hound　pup。〃

He　hears　her　deliver　the　message；　and　also　the　word　her　mother　sends　back：　〃Tell　him　to　hold　his　horses。　　It　'll　be　ready　in　a　minute。〃

〃It　will；　eh？　　　Well；　I　can't　wait　a　minute；　an'　I'm　goin'　to　take　a　hog…bite　right　out　of　YOU！〃　and　he　snarls　and　bites　her　right　in　the　middle　of　her　stomach；　and　if　there　is　anything　more　ticklesome　than　that；　it　hasn't　been　heard　of　yet。

After　supper；　little　Eddie　Allgire　teases　his　brother　D。　to　tell　him　about　Santa　Claus。　　D。　is　cracking　walnuts　on　a　flat…iron　held　between　his　knees。

〃Is　they　any　Santy　Claus；　D。？〃

〃W'y；　cert；　they　is。　　Who　says　not？〃

〃Bunty　Rogers　says　they　ain't　no　sech　a　person。〃

〃You　tell　Bunt　Rogers　that　he's　a…gittin'　too　big　fer　his　britches；　an'　first　thing　he　knows；　he'll　whirl　round　an'　see　his　naked　nose。　Tell　him　I　said　so。〃

〃Well；　is　they　any　Santy　Claus？〃

〃W'y　cert。　　Ain't　I　a…tellin'　you？　　Laws！　ain't　you　never　seen　him　yet？〃

〃I　seen　that　kind　of　a　idol　they　got　down　in　Plotner's　winder。〃

〃Well；　he　looks　jist　like　that；　on'y　he's　alive。〃

〃Did　you　ever　see　him；　D。？〃

〃O…oh；　well！　　Think　I'm　goin'　to　tell　everything　I　know？　　Well；　I　guess　not。〃

〃Well；　but　did　you　now？〃

〃M…well；　that　'd　be　tellin'。〃

〃Aw；　now；　D。；　tell　me。〃

〃Look　out　what　you're　doin'。　　Now　see　that。　　You　pretty　near　made　me　mash　my　thumb。〃

〃Aw；　now；　D。；　tell　me。　　I　think　you　might。　　I　don't　believe　you　ever　did。〃

〃Oh；　you　don't；　hey？　　Well；　if　you　had　'a　saw　what　I　saw。　　M…m！　Little　round　eyes　an'　red　nose　an'　white　whiskers；　an'　heard　the　sleigh　bells；　an'　oh；　my！　them　reindeers！　　Cutest　little　things！　Stompin'　their　little　feet〃　Here　he　stopped；　and　went　on　cracking　nuts。

〃Tell　some　more。　　Woncha；　please？　　Ma；　make　D。　tell　me　the　rest　of　it。〃

Huck…uh！　Dassant。　　'T　wouldn't　be　right。　　Like's　not　he　won't　put　anythin'　in　my　stockin'　now　fer　what　I　did　tell。〃

〃How'll　he　know？〃

〃How'll　he　know？　Easy　enough。　　He　goes　around　all　the　houses　evenings　now　to　see　how　the　young　ones　act；　an'　if　he　finds　they're　sassy；　an'　don't　mind　their　Ma　when　she　tells　them　to　leave　the　cat　alone；　an'　if　they　whine：　'I　don'　want　to　go　out　an'　cut　the　kindlin'。　　Why　cain't　D。　do　it　？'　then　he　puts　potatoes　an'　lumps　o'　coal　in　their　stockin's。　　Oh；　he'll　be　here；　course　o'　the　evenin'。〃

〃D'　you　s'pose　he's　round　here　now？〃　　Eddie　got　a　little　closer　to　his　brother。

〃I　wouldn't　wonder。　　Yes；　sir。　　There　he　goes　now。　　Sure's　you're　alive。〃

〃Where？〃

〃Right　over　yan。　　Aw；　you　don't　look。　　See？　　There　he　is。　　Aw！　you're　too　slow。　　Didn't　you　see　him？　　Now　the　next　time　I　tell　you　　…　Look；　look！　　There！　　He　run　right　acrost　the　floor　an'　into　the　closet。　　Plain　's　day。　　didn't　you　see　him？　　You　saw　him；　mother？〃

Mrs。　Allgire　nodded　her　head。　　She　was　busy　counting　the　stitches　in　a　nubia　she　was　knitting　for　old　Aunt　Pashy；　Roebuck。

〃W'y；　you　couldn't　help　but　see　him。　　didn't　you　take　notice　to　his　white　whiskers　？〃

〃Ye…es；〃　said　the　child；　slowly；　with　the　wide…open　stare　of　hypnosis。

〃Didn't　you　see　the　evergreen　tree　he　carried？〃

〃M…hm；〃　said　Eddie；　the　image　taking　shape　in　his　mind's　eye。

〃And　his　brown　coat　all　trimmed　with　fur；　an'　his　funny　peaked　hat？　An'　his　red　nose？　　W'y；　course　you　did。〃　　The　boy　nodded　his　head。　He　was　sure　now。　　Yes。　　Faith　was　lost　in　sight。　　He　believed。

〃I　expect　he's　in　the