Page 47 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page 47
24 THE CHRIST-CHILD
do not want you to work like dogs for me.
I want you to work like good industrious
children, for yourselves ; that you may have
good things to eat, and clean clothes to wear,
and be able to do something for other poor
children." Wolfgang played with the peb
bles in his pockets, and gave a low whistle,
as much as to say he didn't believe a word
of it. " Will you go?" said the gentleman
to Heinrich : " Will you work in our garden
next spring ? You and your sister shall have
a little garden of your own." Gertrude's
eyes brightened. " Oh, Heinrich," she ex
claimed, " it would be so pleasant to have a
garden ! The beautiful Christ-child spoke to
me in a garden." " We could not leave our
mother," replied Heinrich. The little girl's
expressive face saddened all at once, like a
cloud going over a sunny field. " Oh, no,"
said she, " mother couldn't do without MS."
" Where is your mother?" inquired the stran
ger. " In bed," replied Heinrich. " How
comes it that she is not up at this late hour ? "
" I think she has one of her fits," answered
Heinrich ; " for she has not spoken to us this
morning." " Does your mother drink too
much ? " inquired the stranger, in a Very low
tone. " Oh, no, indeed," replied Heinrich,
" my mother never drinks." " What do you