remember those less fortunate than himself.â His voice was filled with pride when he related this deed.
Before another word was spoken, William came back, escorted by his sister, and seated himself before the fire.
A servant brought in fixings for Mr. Gardinerâs special Christmas punch and he compounded a hot mixture in a jug with gin and lemons, and stirred it round and round. Master Robert, along with Alice, went to check on the goose. Soon they returned with news that dinner was ready to be served.
There was a mad scramble of children to the dining room. The Gardiners quickly sat down for dinner and grace was said. The servants entered with the bird in high procession. It was succeeded by a breathless pause, as Mr. Gardiner, looking slowly all along the carving knife, prepared to plunge it in the breast. When he did, and when the long expected gush of stuffing issued forth, a murmur of delight arose all round the board. William cried, âHurrah!â and Alice clapped.
Everyone ate until they had enough, and the youngest Gardiners in particular were steeped in goose and sage and onion to their eyebrows!
But now, Belinda was exchanging the dinner plates in anticipation of dessert. She left the room. In half a minute she returned, flushed but smiling proudly, with the pudding, like a speckled cannon ball, so hard and firm, blazing in ignited brandy.
âOh, what a wonderful pudding!â Edward Gardiner said. Everybody had something to say about it; all praise was sent to Cook.
At last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared, and the fire made up in the parlor. The punch being tasted and considered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and chestnuts were roasting in the open fire. Then, all the Gardiner family drew round the hearth.
Golden goblets held the hot stuff from the jug; Edward served it out with beaming looks, while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily.
Then Edward proposed: âA Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!â
Which all the family echoed.
âGod bless us every one!â said William, the last of all.
He sat very close to his fatherâs side upon his stool. Edward held his hand in his, for he loved his children and was not averse to showing it.
âSpirit,â said Darcy, with an interest he had never felt before, âWhy are we here?â
âQuiet,â replied the Ghost, âfor you are here to learn.â
âMr. Darcy!â said Edward Gardiner. âIâll give you Mr. Darcy!â
Darcy turned speedily on hearing his own name.
âMr. Darcy?â questioned Mrs. Gardiner. âWhy, he is not part of the family nor is he likely to be.â
âMy dear,â said Edward, âhe has done our family a very good turn this year. Should we not acknowledge it on Christmas Day?â
âIt is just that I was hoping that he would be a part of our family by now,â said she, âand you did too. And poor Elizabeth is pining, though she thinks she can hide it.â
Darcy was startled by this information. He glanced at the Spirit who nodded slowly.
âMy dear,â was Edwardâs mild answer, âwe cannot change what has passed. We can only wish him well on this Christmas Day and hope the best for both his and Elizabethâs futures.â
âYou are right, my dear. I will drink his health for Elizabethâs sake,â said Mrs. Gardiner, âand for his. May there be a long life before him. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! He will be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt, if he would only wed Elizabeth!â
âEmily!â remonstrated Mr. Gardiner, but in a playful manner. He lifted his glass in toast, âTo Mr. Darcy and dear Elizabeth, may they realize that they are made for one another in the New Year!â
Edward Gardiner then read them the Christmas story from the family Bible. Other family stories were related and talked