some short christmas stories(Ê¥µ®¹ÊÊÂ)-µÚ3ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
been¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Comes¡¡¡¡¡¡swift¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡comfort¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Pantomimestupendous¡¡
Phenomenon£¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡clowns¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡shot¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡loaded¡¡¡¡¡¡mortars¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡
chandelier£»¡¡¡¡¡¡bright¡¡¡¡¡¡constellation¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is£»¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡Harlequins£»¡¡¡¡¡¡covered¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡
over¡¡with¡¡scales¡¡of¡¡pure¡¡gold£»¡¡twist¡¡and¡¡sparkle£»¡¡like¡¡amazing¡¡fish£»¡¡when¡¡
Pantaloon¡¡£¨whom¡¡I¡¡deem¡¡it¡¡no¡¡irreverence¡¡to¡¡compare¡¡in¡¡my¡¡own¡¡mind¡¡to¡¡
my¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡grandfather£©¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡puts¡¡¡¡¡¡red¡hot¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡pokers¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡pocket£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cries¡¡¡¡¡¨Here's¡¡
somebody¡¡¡¡¡¡coming£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡taxes¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Clown¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡petty¡¡¡¡¡¡larceny£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡saying£»¡¡
¡¨Now£»¡¡I¡¡sawed¡¡you¡¡do¡¡it£¡¡¨¡¡when¡¡Everything¡¡is¡¡capable£»¡¡with¡¡the¡¡greatest¡¡
ease£»¡¡of¡¡being¡¡changed¡¡into¡¡Anything£»¡¡and¡¡¡¨Nothing¡¡is£»¡¡but¡¡thinking¡¡makes¡¡
it¡¡so¡£¡¨¡¡Now£»¡¡too£»¡¡I¡¡perceive¡¡my¡¡first¡¡experience¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dreary¡¡sensation¡¡
often¡¡to¡¡return¡¡in¡¡after¡lifeof¡¡being¡¡unable£»¡¡next¡¡day£»¡¡to¡¡get¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡
dull£»¡¡settled¡¡world£»¡¡of¡¡wanting¡¡to¡¡live¡¡for¡¡ever¡¡in¡¡the¡¡bright¡¡atmosphere¡¡I¡¡
have¡¡¡¡¡¡quitted£»¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡doting¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡Fairy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡the¡¡¡¡wand¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡celestial¡¡
Barber's¡¡Pole£»¡¡and¡¡pining¡¡for¡¡a¡¡Fairy¡¡immortality¡¡along¡¡with¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ah£»¡¡she¡¡
comes¡¡back£»¡¡in¡¡many¡¡shapes£»¡¡as¡¡my¡¡eye¡¡wanders¡¡down¡¡the¡¡branches¡¡of¡¡my¡¡
Christmas¡¡Tree£»¡¡and¡¡goes¡¡as¡¡often£»¡¡and¡¡has¡¡never¡¡yet¡¡stayed¡¡by¡¡me£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Out¡¡of¡¡this¡¡delight¡¡springs¡¡the¡¡toy¡theatre£»there¡¡it¡¡is£»¡¡with¡¡its¡¡familiar¡¡
proscenium£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡ladies¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡feathers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡boxes£¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡attendant¡¡
occupation¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡paste¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡glue£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡gum£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡water¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡colours£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡
getting¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡Miller¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡Men£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Elizabeth£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Exile¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
Siberia¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡spite¡¡of¡¡a¡¡few¡¡besetting¡¡accidents¡¡and¡¡failures¡¡£¨particularly¡¡an¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡9¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡10¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
unreasonable¡¡¡¡¡¡disposition¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡respectable¡¡¡¡¡¡Kelmar£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡others£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
become¡¡faint¡¡in¡¡the¡¡legs£»¡¡and¡¡double¡¡up£»¡¡at¡¡exciting¡¡points¡¡of¡¡the¡¡drama£©£»¡¡a¡¡
teeming¡¡world¡¡of¡¡fancies¡¡so¡¡suggestive¡¡and¡¡all¡embracing£»¡¡that£»¡¡far¡¡below¡¡
it¡¡on¡¡my¡¡Christmas¡¡Tree£»¡¡I¡¡see¡¡dark£»¡¡dirty£»¡¡real¡¡Theatres¡¡in¡¡the¡¡day¡time£»¡¡
adorned¡¡with¡¡these¡¡associations¡¡as¡¡with¡¡the¡¡freshest¡¡garlands¡¡of¡¡the¡¡rarest¡¡
flowers£»¡¡and¡¡charming¡¡me¡¡yet¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡hark£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Waits¡¡are¡¡playing£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡break¡¡my¡¡childish¡¡sleep£¡¡¡
What¡¡¡¡¡¡images¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡associate¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Christmas¡¡¡¡¡¡music¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡set¡¡
forth¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Christmas¡¡Tree£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Known¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡others£»¡¡¡¡¡¡keeping¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡
apart¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡others£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡gather¡¡¡¡¡¡round¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡bed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡An¡¡¡¡¡¡angel£»¡¡
speaking¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡group¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡shepherds¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡field£»¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡travellers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡
uplifted£»¡¡following¡¡a¡¡star£»¡¡a¡¡baby¡¡in¡¡a¡¡manger£»¡¡a¡¡child¡¡in¡¡a¡¡spacious¡¡temple£»¡¡
talking¡¡with¡¡grave¡¡men£»¡¡a¡¡solemn¡¡figure£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡mild¡¡and¡¡beautiful¡¡face£»¡¡
raising¡¡a¡¡dead¡¡girl¡¡by¡¡the¡¡hand£»¡¡again£»¡¡near¡¡a¡¡city¡¡gate£»¡¡calling¡¡back¡¡the¡¡son¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡widow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡bier£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡life£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡crowd¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡looking¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
opened¡¡roof¡¡of¡¡a¡¡chamber¡¡where¡¡he¡¡sits£»¡¡and¡¡letting¡¡down¡¡a¡¡sick¡¡person¡¡on¡¡
a¡¡bed£»¡¡with¡¡ropes£»¡¡the¡¡same£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡tempest£»¡¡walking¡¡on¡¡the¡¡water¡¡to¡¡a¡¡ship£»¡¡
again£»¡¡on¡¡a¡¡sea¡shore£»¡¡teaching¡¡a¡¡great¡¡multitude£»¡¡again£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡child¡¡upon¡¡
his¡¡¡¡¡¡knee£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡children¡¡¡¡¡¡round£»¡¡¡¡¡¡again£»¡¡¡¡¡¡restoring¡¡¡¡¡¡sight¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡blind£»¡¡
speech¡¡to¡¡the¡¡dumb£»¡¡hearing¡¡to¡¡the¡¡deaf£»¡¡health¡¡to¡¡the¡¡sick£»¡¡strength¡¡to¡¡the¡¡
lame£»¡¡knowledge¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ignorant£»¡¡again£»¡¡dying¡¡upon¡¡a¡¡Cross£»¡¡watched¡¡by¡¡
armed¡¡soldiers£»¡¡a¡¡thick¡¡darkness¡¡coming¡¡on£»¡¡the¡¡earth¡¡beginning¡¡to¡¡shake£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡¡¡heard£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Forgive¡¡¡¡¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡
do¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Still£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lower¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡maturer¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡branches¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Tree£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Christmas¡¡
associations¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cluster¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡thick¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡School¡books¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡shut¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡up£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Ovid¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Virgil¡¡
silenced£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Rule¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Three£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡cool¡¡¡¡¡¡impertinent¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡inquiries£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡long¡¡
disposed¡¡of£»¡¡Terence¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Plautus¡¡acted¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡more£»¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡arena¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡huddled¡¡
desks¡¡and¡¡forms£»¡¡all¡¡chipped£»¡¡and¡¡notched£»¡¡and¡¡inked£»¡¡cricket¡bats£»¡¡stumps£»¡¡
and¡¡balls£»¡¡left¡¡higher¡¡up£»¡¡with¡¡the¡¡smell¡¡of¡¡trodden¡¡grass¡¡and¡¡the¡¡softened¡¡
noise¡¡of¡¡shouts¡¡in¡¡the¡¡evening¡¡air£»¡¡the¡¡tree¡¡is¡¡still¡¡fresh£»¡¡still¡¡gay¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡I¡¡no¡¡
more¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡home¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡Christmas¡time£»¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡boys¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡girls¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨thank¡¡
Heaven£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£©¡¡¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡World¡¡¡¡¡¡lasts£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡do£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yonder¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡dance¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
play¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡branches¡¡of¡¡my¡¡Tree£»¡¡God¡¡bless¡¡them£»¡¡merrily£»¡¡and¡¡my¡¡heart¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡10¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡11¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
dances¡¡and¡¡plays¡¡too£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡I¡¡do¡¡come¡¡home¡¡at¡¡Christmas¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡all¡¡do£»¡¡or¡¡we¡¡all¡¡should¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡
all¡¡come¡¡home£»¡¡or¡¡ought¡¡to¡¡come¡¡home£»¡¡for¡¡a¡¡short¡¡holidaythe¡¡longer£»¡¡the¡¡
betterfrom¡¡the¡¡great¡¡boarding¡school£»¡¡where¡¡we¡¡are¡¡for¡¡ever¡¡working¡¡at¡¡
our¡¡¡¡¡¡arithmetical¡¡¡¡¡¡slates£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡take£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡rest¡£¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡visiting£»¡¡
where¡¡can¡¡we¡¡not¡¡go£»¡¡if¡¡we¡¡will£»¡¡where¡¡have¡¡we¡¡not¡¡been£»¡¡when¡¡we¡¡would£»¡¡
starting¡¡our¡¡fancy¡¡from¡¡our¡¡Christmas¡¡Tree£¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Away¡¡into¡¡the¡¡winter¡¡prospect¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡are¡¡many¡¡such¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡tree£¡¡¡
On£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡low¡lying£»¡¡¡¡¡¡misty¡¡¡¡¡¡grounds£»¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡fens¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡fogs£»¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡long¡¡¡¡¡¡hills£»¡¡
winding¡¡dark¡¡as¡¡caverns¡¡between¡¡thick¡¡plantations£»¡¡almost¡¡shutting¡¡out¡¡the¡¡
sparkling¡¡stars£»¡¡so£»¡¡out¡¡on¡¡broad¡¡heights£»¡¡until¡¡we¡¡stop¡¡at¡¡last£»¡¡with¡¡sudden¡¡
silence£»¡¡at¡¡an¡¡avenue¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡gate¡bell¡¡has¡¡a¡¡deep£»¡¡half¡awful¡¡sound¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
frosty¡¡¡¡air£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡gate¡¡¡¡¡¡swings¡¡¡¡¡¡open¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡hinges£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡drive¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
great¡¡¡¡¡¡house£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡glancing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lights¡¡¡¡¡¡grow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡larger¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡windows£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
opposing¡¡rows¡¡of¡¡trees¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡fall¡¡solemnly¡¡back¡¡on¡¡either¡¡side£»¡¡to¡¡give¡¡
us¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡intervals£»¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡day£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡frightened¡¡¡¡¡¡hare¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡shot¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡
whitened¡¡turf£»¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡distant¡¡¡¡¡¡clatter¡¡of¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡herd¡¡of¡¡deer¡¡trampling¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hard¡¡
frost£»¡¡has£»¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡minute£»¡¡crushed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡silence¡¡too¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Their¡¡watchful¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡
beneath¡¡the¡¡fern¡¡may¡¡be¡¡shining¡¡now£»¡¡if¡¡we¡¡could¡¡see¡¡them£»¡¡like¡¡the¡¡icy¡¡
dewdrops¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡leaves£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡still£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡£¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡so£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
lights¡¡growing¡¡larger£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡trees¡¡falling¡¡back¡¡before¡¡us£»¡¡and¡¡closing¡¡up¡¡
again¡¡behind¡¡us£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡to¡¡forbid¡¡retreat£»¡¡we¡¡come¡¡to¡¡the¡¡house¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡probably¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡smell¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡roasted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡chestnuts¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡good¡¡
comfortable¡¡things¡¡all¡¡the¡¡time£»¡¡for¡¡we¡¡are¡¡telling¡¡Winter¡¡Stories¡¡Ghost¡¡
Stories£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡shame¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡usround¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Christmas¡¡¡¡¡¡fire£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
never¡¡stirred£»¡¡except¡¡to¡¡draw¡¡a¡¡little¡¡nearer¡¡to¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡no¡¡matter¡¡for¡¡that¡£¡¡
We¡¡came¡¡to¡¡the¡¡house£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡is¡¡an¡¡old¡¡house£»¡¡full¡¡of¡¡great¡¡chimneys¡¡where¡¡
wood¡¡is¡¡burnt¡¡on¡¡ancient¡¡dogs¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡hearth£»¡¡and¡¡grim¡¡portraits¡¡£¨some¡¡of¡¡
them¡¡with¡¡grim¡¡legends£»¡¡too£©¡¡lower¡¡distrustfully¡¡from¡¡the¡¡oaken¡¡panels¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡walls¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡middle¡aged¡¡¡¡¡¡nobleman£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡generous¡¡
supper¡¡with¡¡our¡¡host¡¡and¡¡hostess¡¡and¡¡their¡¡guestsit¡¡being¡¡Christmas¡time£»¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡old¡¡house¡¡full¡¡of¡¡companyand¡¡then¡¡we¡¡go¡¡to¡¡bed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Our¡¡room¡¡is¡¡a¡¡
very¡¡old¡¡room¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡hung¡¡with¡¡tapestry¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡don't¡¡like¡¡the¡¡portrait¡¡of¡¡a¡¡
cavalier¡¡in¡¡green£»¡¡over¡¡the¡¡fireplace¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡are¡¡great¡¡black¡¡beams¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡11¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡12¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
ceiling£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡is¡¡a¡¡great¡¡black¡¡bedstead£»¡¡supported¡¡at¡¡the¡¡foot¡¡by¡¡two¡¡
great¡¡black¡¡figures£»¡¡who¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡have¡¡come¡¡off¡¡a¡¡couple¡¡of¡¡tombs¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
old¡¡baronial¡¡church¡¡in¡¡the¡¡park£»¡¡for¡¡our¡¡particular¡¡accommodation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡
we¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡superstitious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡nobleman£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡
dismiss¡¡our¡¡servant£»¡¡lock¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡and¡¡sit¡¡before¡¡the¡¡fire¡¡in¡¡our¡¡dressing¡¡¡
gown£»¡¡musing¡¡about¡¡a¡¡great¡¡many¡¡things¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡length¡¡we¡¡go¡¡to¡¡bed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£¡¡¡
we¡¡can't¡¡sleep¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡toss¡¡and¡¡tumble£»¡¡and¡¡can't¡¡sleep¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡embers¡¡on¡¡the¡¡
hearth¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡burn¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fitfully¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡room¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ghostly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡can't¡¡¡¡help¡¡
peeping¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡counterpane£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡black¡¡¡¡¡¡figures¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
cavalierthat¡¡wicked¡¡¡looking¡¡cavalierin¡¡green¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡flickering¡¡light¡¡
they¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡advance¡¡and¡¡retire£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which£»¡¡though¡¡we¡¡are¡¡not¡¡by¡¡any¡¡means¡¡
a¡¡superstitious¡¡nobleman£»¡¡is¡¡not¡¡agreeable¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£¡¡¡we¡¡get¡¡nervous¡¡more¡¡
and¡¡more¡¡nervous¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡say¡¡¡¨This¡¡is¡¡very¡¡foolish£»¡¡but¡¡we¡¡can't¡¡stand¡¡this£»¡¡
we'll¡¡pretend¡¡to¡¡be¡¡ill£»¡¡and¡¡knock¡¡up¡¡somebody¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£¡¡¡we¡¡are¡¡just¡¡going¡¡
to¡¡do¡¡it£»¡¡when¡¡the¡¡locked¡¡door¡¡opens£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡comes¡¡in¡¡a¡¡young¡¡woman£»¡¡
deadly¡¡pale£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡long¡¡fair¡¡hair£»¡¡who¡¡glides¡¡to¡¡the¡¡fire£»¡¡and¡¡sits¡¡down¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡chair¡¡we¡¡have¡¡left¡¡there£»¡¡wringing¡¡her¡¡hands¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then£»¡¡we¡¡notice¡¡that¡¡
her¡¡clothes¡¡are¡¡wet¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Our¡¡tongue¡¡cleaves¡¡to¡¡the¡¡roof¡¡of¡¡our¡¡mouth£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡
can't¡¡speak£»¡¡but£»¡¡we¡¡observe¡¡her¡¡accurately¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡clothes¡¡are¡¡wet£»¡¡her¡¡long¡¡
hair¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡dabbled¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡moist¡¡¡¡¡¡mud£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡dressed¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fashion¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡
hundred¡¡years¡¡ago£»¡¡and¡¡she¡¡has¡¡at¡¡her¡¡girdle¡¡a¡¡bunch¡¡of¡¡rusty¡¡keys¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£¡¡¡
there¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡sits£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡can't¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡faint£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡state¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡
Presently¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡gets¡¡¡¡¡¡up£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡tries¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡locks¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rusty¡¡
keys£»¡¡which¡¡won't¡¡fit¡¡one¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡then£»¡¡she¡¡fixes¡¡her¡¡eyes¡¡on¡¡the¡¡portrait¡¡
of¡¡the¡¡cavalier¡¡in¡¡green£»¡¡and¡¡says£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡low£»¡¡terrible¡¡voice£»¡¡¡¨The¡¡stags¡¡know¡¡
it£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡that£»¡¡she¡¡wrings¡¡her¡¡hands¡¡again£»¡¡passes¡¡the¡¡bedside£»¡¡and¡¡goes¡¡
out¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡£¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡hurry¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡dressing¡gown£»¡¡seize¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡pistols¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨we¡¡
always¡¡¡¡¡¡travel¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡pistols£©£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡following£»¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡
locked¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡turn¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡key£»¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dark¡¡¡¡¡¡gallery£»¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡£¡¡
We¡¡wander¡¡away£»¡¡and¡¡try¡¡to¡¡find¡¡our¡¡servant¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Can't¡¡be¡¡done¡£¡¡We¡¡pace¡¡the¡¡
gallery¡¡till¡¡daybreak£»¡¡then¡¡return¡¡to¡¡our¡¡deserted¡¡room£»¡¡fall¡¡asleep£»¡¡and¡¡are¡¡
awakened¡¡by¡¡our¡¡servant¡¡£¨nothing¡¡ever¡¡haunts¡¡him£©¡¡and¡¡the¡¡shining¡¡sun¡£¡¡
Well£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wretched¡¡¡¡¡¡breakfast£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡company¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡
queer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡breakfast£»¡¡we¡¡go¡¡over¡¡the¡¡house¡¡with¡¡our¡¡host£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡we¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡12¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡13¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡Short¡¡Christmas¡¡Stories¡¡
take¡¡him¡¡to¡¡the¡¡portrait¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cavalier¡¡in¡¡green£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡it¡¡all¡¡comes¡¡out¡£¡¡
He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡false¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡housekeeper¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡attached¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡family£»¡¡¡¡