“‘Well, grandfather?’ said Edric catching his breath a little,—and the wind gave one of its lone sighs through the keyhole.
“‘Well my dear—Instead of one dear little couple on the floor’—and the old man drew the boy closer to him—‘there were six,—as merry-eyed and light-footed little beings as ever trod this green earth. At the head I stood with your grandmother, Edric—a dear little thing she was!’ said Squire Darlington with a kindly look towards my lady, whose eyes were cast down now for a wonder, and her lips trembling a little. ‘Her two brothers and my two, and the orphan boy that we loved like a brother; his sister, and my four little sisters—precious children! that they were—made up the rest. Light feet, and soft voices, and sweet laughter—they went through this old hall like a troop of fairies, I was going to say,—more like a ray of pure human happiness.
“‘My father sat here, and my mother opposite—her picture watches the very spot now; and of these good friends at the other end of the hall—Ay! old Cuthbert remembers it—there were two or three; but many others that bore their names.
“‘My child—that is sixty years ago.’
“‘And where are they now, grandfather?’ said Edric under his breath.
“‘In heaven—the most of them,’ said the old man solemnly. ‘But one couple remains of the six.—Of those other dear children not one is left—and not one but gave good hope in his death that he was going to be with Jesus. They remember yet that he came to earth, but they sing another song from ours—their hearts swell with a different joy. We shall know, one day—if we are faithful. They are exceeding fair to my remembrance,—they are fairer now in reality.’
“The old Squire was silent for a few minutes, with his eyes turned again towards the fire, while Edric looked up at the sweet portrait to which his grandfather had referred, and wondered how it was that those eyes always met his. Then Squire Darlington spoke again, and with a different manner.
“‘Everybody that has money makes Christmas a time of feasting and rejoicing, Edric,’ he said. ‘What does Christmas day celebrate?’
“‘The birth of Christ,’ said Edric gravely.