It was only a week to Christmas now; and the young people at Haldon Hall were to have a month's holiday from to-day. The weather, which had been remarkably mild during the early winter, had suddenly changed; the soft west wind had given place to a north-eastern one. And that morning at breakfast, Mr. Coker had declared there was a probability of a real old-fashioned Christmas.
Miss Long was going to her home in London on the morrow, so she was quite naturally as lighthearted and elated at the prospect of the holidays as were her pupils, and helped them to pack their books and papers away in the cupboard retained for that purpose, after which she accompanied them to the kitchen. Preparing the Christmas puddings was always a business of importance at Haldon Hall. A row of buttered moulds of various sizes stood on the big table in the centre of the kitchen, whilst the mistress of the house at a side table weighed out the ingredients which cook was mixing in a big pan.
"We are nearly ready for you," Mrs. Coker said, as the governess and the children appeared upon the scene. "Rupert, run and fetch your father. Miss Long, will you have the first stir?"
"Mind you wish hard," instructed Nellie, as the governess took the spoon.
After the governess, the little girls each had a stir, then Rupert returned with his father, and they had their turns, followed by the servants. And finally the moulds were filled and tied down with cloths, and the business was finished.
The preparations for Christmas at Haldon Hall were nearly completed now. All the various articles, useful and ornamental, for decorating the Christmas tree were finished, and Mr. Coker had decided which of the young firs in one of his plantations should be cut down. And, in short, little else was talked of but the coming festive season.
They were obliged to walk fast . . . to keep themselves
warm.
"I should like to go and say good-bye to Mrs. Wills this afternoon," said Miss Long to her young charges after the mid-day meal. "I daresay you will all accompany me?"
"Oh, yes!" cried Rupert. "I haven't seen Bob Wills for days."