"Who's coming to this Christmas, Jim?" I asked, taking my turn at a question.
"Well, everybody in this town, quite a mess o' folk from St. John's and Quidi Vidi. Some from Brigus, Kelligrews and Heart's Ease. Aunt Saray Bailey is a' comin' from Nancy Jobble.[7] It's such a general invitation that they ain't no definite countin' no how, but their comin'. Everybody that meets anybody hereabouts and nowadays jes' says are you a' comin' to Jim's fur Christmas."
Gradually by prying questions I found out what Jim was planning to do. He had been extremely interested in the account I had sent him of the illuminated tree in Madison Square, and had resolved to have the trees on a neighboring hill-top all illuminated where they stood. In place of electric lights he was engaged in making tallow candles by hand.
The day before Christmas, Mrs. Jim was up very early and when I came down to breakfast she greeted me with this:
"Got to make a biler full o' tea this morning fur the Decoratin' Committee will be here shortly."
"Yes," added Jim, "they'll be here shortly and then we'll be a carryin' out Christmas. Up your way they fetch it in, but we're a goin' to carry it out, good and proper, this year."
The first arrival was Bob, who had caught the full contagion of Jim's spirit, and the second was Parson Curtis.
"Hello, Pa'son Curtis," said Jim as he ushered in his guest. "Did you come to look on or to work?"
"Put me in among the workers, Jim," replied the parson.
"That's right, Pa'son," Jim spoke with heartiness. "I like a pa'son that ain't a mite afraid o' work. I callate that our Lord was one o' the greatest workers this world ever seed, and it's a good thing fur those who are a takin' His place to be up in the front row o' workers. Here's a bag o' candles and here's a coil o' wire. You can take 'em up the hill and begin hitchin' 'em to the tallest tree. You can begin on the low branches an' when the younger fellows get here we'll let 'em shinney up to the taller branches."