“No dear,” said Polly; while Jasper instead of laughing, only stared. Something requiring a deal of thought was passing through the boy's mind just then. “They shall have a Christmas!” he muttered, “I know father'll let me.” But he kept his thoughts to himself; and becoming his own gay, kindly self, he explained and told to Phronsie and the others, so many stories of past Christmases he had enjoyed, that the interest over the baking soon dwindled away, until a horrible smell of something burning brought them all to their senses.
“Oh! the house is burning!” cried Polly. “Oh get a pail of water!”
“Tisn't either,” said Jasper, snuffing wisely; “oh! I know—I forgot all about it—I do beg your pardon.” And running to the stove, he knelt down and drew out of the oven, a black, odorous mass, which with a crest-fallen air he brought to Polly.
“I'm no end sorry I made such a mess of it,” he said, “I meant it for you.”
“Tisn't any matter,” said Polly kindly.
“And now do you go on,” cried Joel and David both in the same breath, “all about the Tree, you know.”
“Yes, yes,” said the others; “if you're not tired, Jasper.”
“Oh, no,” cried their accommodating friend, “I love to tell about it; only wait—let's help Polly clear up first.”
So after all traces of the frolic had been tidied up, and made nice for the mother's return, they took seats in a circle and Jasper regaled them with story and reminiscence, till they felt as if fairy land were nothing to it!
“How did you ever live through it, Jasper King,” said Polly, drawing the first long breath she had dared to indulge in. “Such an elegant time!”