I share Nucky's feeling that he ought to be there to be eyes for Blant; at the same time I am inexpressibly thankful that Blant refuses to keep him, and that he is here with me in safety.
XVIII
CHRISTMAS ANTICIPATIONS
Monday.
Already the air is full of Christmas talk and plans. Besides the great tree here in our school for the entire neighborhood, the workers and teachers expect to have seven or eight trees in other localities, thus bringing brightness and cheer and the Christmas story into many sad and colorless lives. I should have been glad to have a tree over on Trigger; but a gathering there in the present state of feeling would be extremely dangerous, and by Nucky's advice, I have abandoned the hope. "I'd like to have you come over," he said; "but Trigger haint no place for women or women's doings now."
Another excitement is the telephone just set up in our village, connecting us with the railroad and the outside world.—All the boys went down this afternoon to see and hear the marvel.
Wednesday Morning.
I have begun teaching some of the beautiful old English carols to our boys and girls,—it seems peculiarly fitting that these children of pure English stock should sing the carols centuries ago upon the lips of their ancestors. But the task is an uphill one with the boys,—they refuse to take any interest in this or any other Christmas preparation. When I reproached them to-night for their apathy, Philip said,
"Nothing here to take no interest in,—won't be no chance for no Christmas doings till we git away from here."
"But there will be great Christmas doings," I said, "just the very best that can be thought of."