CHAPTER XIV.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

"Christmas gifts for thee, Grand and free! Christmas gifts from the King of love, Brought from his royal home above; Brought to thee in the far-off land, Brought to thee by his own dear hand."

THE Christmas holidays had just commenced, when Archie Warner, followed by Claude and little Ruth, ran into the parlour of the Grove, where they found Priscilla seated at work.

"Hurrah for six weeks' holidays!" said Archie, throwing a bundle of books on the table. "And Austin will be here on Christmas eve, and we must give him a famous welcome, Prissy. And we want to get up a tree this year. You know we used to have one always when mother was alive; and we could have a jolly one this year. The M'Ivors could come, and—"

"O Archie," interrupted his sister, "don't speak of it. Think on our poor father; and then how could I possibly spare the time to prepare it? I am sorry, but really I don't think it could be managed."

A shade crossed the boy's face.

And even little Ruth said, "O Prissy, tan't we have a tree? 'Twould be so nice."

But Archie muttered—

"Oh, well, it does not matter, only all the other fellows are having one; and as to our father, I'm sure I wouldn't for worlds have anything he would not like, or you either, Prissy. I did not think about the trouble, but just hearing all the others talking about the fun they were going to have in the holidays put it into my head."

"All the other fellows are having one." The words rung in Prissy's ears. It was true enough; she knew they would.

And Archie and even Claude would be contrasting the bright holiday-making of their companions with the dulness of their home. No; that must not be, cost what it might. The boys must have a bright Christmas day.

So seeing the effort that Archie was making to throw off his disappointment, she said, "Well, I will tell you what, boys—I'll try and manage it for you, if you will promise to do all you can to help me; that is, if our father will agree to it, for I will have no secret from him. Oh, poor father! If only his sight could be restored. And, you know, the London oculist has held out some faint hope that an operation may prove effectual, or at least partially so."

The young faces round her brightened as Prissy spoke, though Archie had the grace to say, "Oh! But it would be a shame, Prissy, after all, to put more work on you; still, if my father says we may, we would try and save you trouble, and I know the M'Ivors would help. Jules is so clever at making things, and Miss M'Ivor and André also. Oh, it will be famous if we can have it, and give Austin a surprise. You are a dear, good old Prissy!"

"Come along then, all of you, and we will go to the study and see what our father thinks about it. Only remember you are to ask him yourselves."

Archie and Claude shrunk back at those words.

But Ruth ran off to her father, and jumping on his knee, which was her favourite seat, she said, "Father, O father, we wants to have a Christmas tree all covered with lights and pretty things, 'cause Austin's 'turning home; and Prissy says we may, if you'll only let us."

"A Christmas tree, my little Ruth?" said her father, stroking her silken curls as he spoke. "Ah me! 'Tis long since there was one in this house. How old are you, my little maid?"

"Why, father, I'm six years old. But what has that to do with a tree? I'm big enough to see one, surely. Do say we may have one. Archie wants it, and Claude too."

"Yes, father," chimed in both boys; "we would like it, if you are willing."

The professor paused for a moment, then replied, "Certainly you may; only on one condition, boys: you must promise not to let all the trouble fall on your sister, for she has more than enough on her shoulders already. It is a marvel to me the amount of work she gets through, mental and otherwise. She puts many a man to shame, though she is 'only a girl.'"

Prissy laughed; the once dreaded sobriquet had lost its terrors. "Well, father," she said, "if you agree, I second the boys, for I like the thought of having a tree as much as they do, for, you see, in one sense I am still 'only a girl.'"

A loud shout of "Thanks, father, thanks," rung round the room, till Prissy dismissed them all, saying, "Now do run down to the M'Ivors and enlist them to help in the Christmas tree."

"That will be capital," said Archie. "And may we take Ruth also?"

"Yes, you may, if you won't let her get into mischief. And, Archie, please just look in on Joe Smith for a moment, and tell him that, if possible, I will come down to-morrow and help him with his studies. Poor Joe! Isn't it a pity we can't have him at our Christmas tree? He is so much stronger now, if he could only be got here, he would enjoy it. Now off with you all. I don't wish to see any of you for a couple of hours at least."

"All right," said Archie laughing; "but—" and he lingered for a moment behind the others as he said, "remember that during holiday time, I'm to read to father every day. He is not to learn to depend on his daughter for everything, though she is a jolly good daughter and sister also." And so saying, he endorsed his opinion by a loud-sounding slap on his sister's shoulder, then ran off, slamming the door after him in true boy-like fashion, which made his father exclaim—

"Gently, Archie, gently!" Then turning to Prissy, he said, "I fear, my daughter, this Christmas tree plan will throw a great deal of extra trouble on you. If so, just tell me, and I will put a stop to it at once."

"Oh no, father; I would not have it stopped on any account. At first I was selfish enough not to wish to have it at all; but now that I see how set the boys and little Ruth are on having it, I am thankful I yielded. I would like Archie and Claude to have a bright home Christmas. Archie is a fine boy, father, and a steady one."

"Yes," said Dr. Warner, "he is;" and he sighed as his thoughts wandered to the son whom in face and figure Archie so strongly resembled. "Dr. Sparling, too, speaks highly of him. He says his talent lies more for languages than for mathematics; he also says his general conduct is so good that he sets an example to the whole school. He has to thank you, Priscilla, for the home influence he has had. You are a comfort to us all, my daughter."

A flush of pleasure mantled Prissy's face. A word of commendation from her father was very sweet to her.

But she said smilingly, "Ah! then, father, you confess that a woman may be a comfort in her home and yet study even mathematics?"

She spoke in a jesting tone, and expected a reply in a like strain. She was surprised, therefore, when her father laid his hand on her head, and said solemnly, "I do confess it, my child, when a woman has the grace of God in her heart to enable her to keep her different duties in their right place, and to prevent her being conceited and puffed up by her mental attainments, or careless as regards household matters. And now, my daughter, if you can spare me an hour or two to act as my amanuensis, I will be well pleased."

"Certainly, father," was the ready reply, and in a few minutes father and daughter were busy at work.

Whilst they were so engaged, Archie, Claude, and Ruth had made their way to the cottage where the M'Ivors lived. Entering the bright little parlour, Archie soon made their errand known.

"A Christmas tree!" said Gabrielle, jumping up from her work. "A Christmas tree! That will be good. Yes, of course, Archie, tell Prissy we will all be charmed to help her. And you also, maman," she said, turning to her mother—"you are so clever with your fingers, you will assist?—Oh, it is delightful. And all the little ones are to come, did you say?"

"Yes; and if Mr. and Mrs. M'Ivor would come also, my father and Prissy said they would be delighted to see them; and, of course, André as well."

Gabrielle clapped her hands with glee. "Oh, that is better and better! You will go? Do say you will, chère maman!"

Mrs. M'Ivor smiled at her daughter's eagerness, but assented to the proposal, unless the evening proved very cold. "For," she said, turning to Archie, "your Christmas is très-froid, très-froid sometimes."

"Ah!" he replied. "But this year, madam, it is going to be fine; every one says we are going to have a bright Christmas."

Then turning to Gabrielle and the boys, an animated discussion arose on decorations and suitable presents. Coloured paper was produced at once, and ere long, Gabrielle's clever French fingers had cut out some really tasteful ornaments for the tree. The time slipped away only too quickly, and on their way home, Archie found he had just a minute or two to spend with Joe Smith, who hailed with pleasure the announcement of a visit from Miss Warner.

"You see, Mr. Archibald," he said, "she is such a kind, patient teacher; and if ever I become a scholar, and of any use in the world, it will all, under God, be owing to her and Mr. Austin. Ay, and more than that I owe to them, for it was they who told me of the love of Jesus, and led me into the kingdom of God. Please tell Miss Warner I will be delighted to see her to-morrow."

And Archie, promising to do so, set off homewards, holding little Ruth by the hand. There was a sober, thoughtful look on his face, for Joe's words had set him thinking.

Did he, he asked himself, love the Lord Jesus, as Austin, Prissy, and Joe Smith did? And like them, was he helping on Christ's kingdom? It was not necessary in order to do so to become a minister or missionary; for Prissy had often spoken to him on that subject, and her life had proved to him that it is in little things as well as in great that God can be glorified.

And as Archie Warner walked home on that bright December day, he began to wish to be a Christian—at all events, some times, perhaps when school duties and pleasures did not so fully occupy him. And so he turned his thoughts to the pleasures of the hour, and forgot that it is written:

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God."