CHAPTER XII.
In the mean time the happy Christmas holidays arrived. They had arranged for the children a beautiful birth-place, which occupied the whole front of the parlor, covering it with aromatic pistachio, rosemary, lavender, and other odorous plants and leaves. Perico brought these things from the field with all the pleasure of a lover bringing flowers to his bride.
On Christmas day, Perico heard mass early, and went to take a walk to his wheat-field, having been told that there were goats in the neighborhood.
He returned home about ten o'clock, and found the children alone.
"How glad we are, father, that you have come," they shouted, running joyfully toward him. "They have all gone and left us."
"Where then are Mamma Anna, and Aunt Elvira?"
"They went to high mass."
"Who staid with you?"
"Mother."
"And where is she?"