Christmas, A Happy Time | Page 3

way to the shrubbery, but before they were out of
the hall door, the post chaise and four was rattling down the avenue and
in a few minutes the two lads were pressed to the hearts of their
beloved parents and their affectionate sisters.
As the two other youths who accompanied the Mortimers were eager to
pursue their journey, the chaise was soon on its return down the avenue:
and John and Frederick, who with all their happiness, could not help
finding out that they were very cold and hungry, were glad to be
summoned to the dining-room, and to feel the warm carpet, and see the
blazing fire, and the smoking meat upon the table. Between eating and
talking there was a great deal to do; the former, however, it was most
necessary to attend to for a short time; and when their hunger was
satisfied, and they drew with their father and mother, and Elizabeth and
Harriet, round the cheerful and enlivening fire, and a more happy party
perhaps could hardly be imagined. Before the boys went to school, each
of the children had low stools of their own, which it had always been
their delight to sit upon, when summoned to the dining-room after
dinner; for at that time they had been accustomed to have their own
dinner in the nursery. Now, however, they were to be indulged by
dining with their parents, when the family dinner hour was moderately
early, and there was no large party at table; and on the present occasion
the same little stools which had been such favourites formerly were
now brought again into use. The girls had almost feared proposing
them, as they knew not what changes the boy's school might have
occasioned in their brother's habits; but no sooner was the cloth
removed and the grace said, than the active little Frederick flew to the
sideboard, and took possession of his old and favourite seat. John
followed his example; those of the two little girls were already standing
by the two corners of the chimney-piece, and Frederick between
mamma and Elizabeth, and John between papa and Harriet, very soon

settled themselves and made the family circle complete. Into the middle
of this circle a favourite little terrier now leaped, and began his gambols,
while the old pet Tibby the cat, which the children had all been
accustomed to carry about from infants, came rubbing her sides against
the young strangers, and began purring to be taken notice of.
As the day had closed long before the dinner had disappeared, the boys
could only hear all there was to be heard to-night, about any alterations
or improvements which had taken place since their absence;--what
success their sisters had met with, in keeping up their stock of rabbits
and poultry;--whether the ice-house had been yet filled;--how went on
old Neddy the donkey, if he was yet too old to be ridden;--whether the
myrtles were alive, and their own gardens had been full of flowers; and
a variety of other inquiries, extremely interesting to them, and which
would have doubtless been made by many of my young readers on
similar occasions as those on which we are writing. Harriet and
Elizabeth were equally glad to reply to all their brothers' questions, and
they had a great many to ask in return. Whether they liked school as
well as home,--whether they always had meat and pudding, & as much
as they liked of both;--what plays they played at, and if they had
good-natured companions. There was an abundance to say upon all
these subjects; and then Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer had their inquiries to
make about books and classes, and sums, and school hours, and play
hours and going to bed, and getting up, so that the tongues all ran very
nimbly; and doubtless there remained plenty more to say, when at
length little Frederick's words began to lengthen themselves as he
uttered them, and his eyes were with difficulty strained open.
Mr. Mortimer gave him a pat, and asked him how early he had been up
in the morning? He had scarcely been in bed the whole night; he had
since performed a journey of near seventy miles, and as he was not yet
seven years of age, it was not to be wondered at that sleep should thus
be striving to get the better even of his feelings of joy and happiness,
John, who was only two years older than his brother did not shew much
less symptoms of fatigue; and Mrs. Mortimer proposed having the tea
immediately, that the boys might get to bed. This plan was instantly
agreed to, their heads were soon snug on their pillows; and in the

morning they both awoke in high health and joyous spirits.
It was