Page 27

uncle! Is Mr. Hammergain rich, mom? Michael; you know better than to be asking these kind of questions. He's pretty rich though, huh? She laughed and stood up from the couch, with her knitting saying, I'm going back into the kitchen and begin dinner; Your father must be starved. Where's Dad mom? He's out talking to the neighbors; But I hope he'll be lighting the tree soon; Would you like to help him? Can I climb up on the ladder with him? Only one on the ladder at a time; You better not climb up on the ladder; but you can hold it for your father and makesure he doesen't fall. As she was walking into the kitchen I said; mom, how's come all your friends bring me stuff, I thought Santa Claus was supposed to do that. They're just doing Santa Claus a favor Michael, and bringing you presents before he comes; When is Santa Claus coming? Santa Claus comes on Christmas eve, when it's late in the night and everyone is asleep. Now you put some warm clothes on Michael; and come in the kitchen and let me see you, before you go outside to help your father. We all waited for Christmas; We talked about it, and cuddled it with early stockings over a fireplace; with a real pot for soup and stew. The wood mantle became blue with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her robe and eyes above the fire place looking out through the stillness of the window panes. The front yard fir tree, with lights high and near the second story window, made me forget even the bright masks of Halloween and the candy that was almost better than Thanks