“All the other boys give presents!” he said.
“So shall you!” said his mother. “All presents are not bought with money. The best boy that ever lived was as poor as we are, and yet he was always giving.”
“Who was he?” asked Jack; “and what did he give?”
“This is his birthday,” said the mother. “He was the good Jesus. He was born in a stable, and he lived in a poor workingman’s house. He never had a penny of his own, yet he gave twelve good gifts every day. Would you like to try his way?”
“Yes!” cried Jack.
So his mother told him this and that; and soon after Jack started out, dressed in his best suit, to give his presents.
First, he went to Aunt Jane’s house. She was old and lame and she did not like boys.
“What do you want?” she asked as she opened the door.
“Merry Christmas!” said Jack. “May I stay for an hour and help you?”
“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “Want to keep you out of mischief, do they? Well! you may bring in some wood.”