"Yes, I have opened the window a little, and put the screen in front of it, so that you won't feel the air."
"Can I have the shutters open? and won't you turn my bed, please? This morning I woke ever so early, and one bright, beautiful star shone in that eastern window. I never noticed it before, and I thought of the Star in the East, that guided the wise men to the place where the baby Jesus was. Good-night, Mamma. Such a happy, happy day!"
"Good-night, my precious Christmas Carol—mother's blessed Christmas child."
"Bend your head a minute, mother dear," whispered Carol, calling her mother back. "Mamma, dear, I do think that we have kept Christ's birthday this time just as He would like it. Don't you?"
"I am sure of it," said Mrs. Bird, softly.
"I BEAT THE HULL LOT O' YER!"