“And won’t wake up,” floated the sad, slow voices out of the fog, closing over the scene.
“I wish Christmas Day would come,” cried Kitty. “Don’t you think they have been punished enough?”
She looked toward Love, and Love’s face was illumined with a smile like a sunbeam.
“I am so sorry for the naughty children,” said Kitty with a sob. “I wish the time had come for them to receive the kiss of forgiveness.”
Love laid her hand on Kitty’s head, then gently touched her ears.
Lo! faintly Kitty heard the sound of joy-bells tinkling. Sweet bells! happy bells! ringing clearer and clearer, nearer and nearer, till all the air seemed full of their pealing and clanging.
“Christmas bells!” exclaimed Kitty breathlessly.
Love lifted her finger. “Hush!” she said.