1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:05,679 The Little Mixer by Lily and Nicholas Scheren. There was no fault to be 2 00:00:05,759 --> 00:00:10,279 found with the present itself. The trouble lay in the method of transportation. 3 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:15,800 This thought was definite enough in Hannah's mind, but she had to rely upon 4 00:00:15,839 --> 00:00:21,600 a seven year old vocabulary for expression, and grown ups are notably dull of 5 00:00:21,679 --> 00:00:28,079 comprehension. Even mothers don't always understand without being told exactly in so many words. 6 00:00:28,879 --> 00:00:32,880 I didn't say the kimona wasn't nice, Mamma, explained Hannah. And 7 00:00:33,079 --> 00:00:37,799 course cousin Carrie was all for good to send it to me. But Santa 8 00:00:37,799 --> 00:00:43,600 Claus is going to bring Virginia one tomorrow night down the chimbly rose. Joseph 9 00:00:43,679 --> 00:00:48,799 slipped the absurd little garment over her daughter's dainty lingerie frock and stood her on 10 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,920 a chair that she might view herself in the narrow mirror between the windows of 11 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:57,759 the living room. The child was as lovely as a flower, but Vanity 12 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:02,719 was still sound asleep in her soul, and she glanced indifferently at the reflection, 13 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:08,280 her body sagging with disappointment. It is just like those little Japanese girls 14 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:14,359 wear, her mother cried in that over enthusiastic adult tone, which warns a 15 00:01:14,439 --> 00:01:19,040 child he is about to be the recipient of a gold brick. I am 16 00:01:19,079 --> 00:01:23,120 sure Virginia's can't be any nicer than this one. But Mamma, Santa Claus 17 00:01:23,239 --> 00:01:27,560 is going to bring her is down the chimney. Mine, her voice dropped 18 00:01:27,599 --> 00:01:34,640 to a mournful key. Mine came through the door. But Darling, what 19 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,239 difference does it make? Just so you get it? Pity for her mother's 20 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:44,680 barren childhood shone in Hannah's soft black eyes. That's that's no way for presents 21 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:49,159 to come, she explained. Mamma, it's Christmas. It is hanuku. 22 00:01:49,359 --> 00:01:53,120 Missus. Joseph replied firmly. Remember you are a Jewess, dear. I 23 00:01:53,159 --> 00:01:57,439 can't never forget it, said the child, with a catch in her voice, 24 00:01:57,879 --> 00:02:01,719 specially at Christmas. But Darling, the Jewish children have Honkah. It 25 00:02:01,799 --> 00:02:06,799 comes about the same time as Christmas, ann amounts to the same thing. 26 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:13,759 Hannah shook her bronze curls. Honkkah is because the children of Israel took Jerusalem 27 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:19,000 and the Temple away from the bad people, she recited glibly. And you 28 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:23,680 say prayers and light candles eight days, and all your uncles and aunts and 29 00:02:23,759 --> 00:02:27,800 cousins sends you things, but Sati Claus, he don't pay any attention to 30 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:31,479 Honikah. Christmas is just one day, and Santa Claus comes down to Chimbley 31 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:37,400 and brings things to all good children, except little Jews, because it is 32 00:02:37,439 --> 00:02:42,960 the birthday of our Savior. Missus Joseph was silent so long that Hannah felt 33 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:47,479 that she had convinced her mother the superiority of the gentile Christmas over the Jewish 34 00:02:47,479 --> 00:02:53,520 Honukkah. And she continued more in detail. And the children's kin folks just 35 00:02:53,599 --> 00:02:55,800 give Santi Claus money and tell him what to buy, and he brings the 36 00:02:55,840 --> 00:03:01,680 presents, and nobody asked to bother about it, Tim Hannah, Missus Joseph 37 00:03:01,719 --> 00:03:07,639 interrupted coldly, who told you about the birthday of the Savior? Nellie Halleran 38 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:13,560 answered, Hannah, and Virginia too. They've got the same one, the 39 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:19,319 same what the same savior? Hannah explained, Darling, hasn't Mama told you 40 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:23,039 many times that you must never never talk about religion to Nelly and Virginia. 41 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:28,360 Oh, we don't, Mama, never never. But of course we got 42 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:32,800 to talk about Santi Claus and things there seemed to be no reasonable objection to 43 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:38,319 that, so Missus Joseph dropped the subject. She spent a great deal of 44 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:44,560 time folding the despised and rejected kimono into its tissue paper wrappings. Presently, 45 00:03:44,639 --> 00:03:49,360 she brought a narrow parcel from another room. See what Uncle Aaron has sent 46 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:52,199 you, dear, she cried, gaily, a little man. You whind 47 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,199 him up in the back with his key, so and then he dances and 48 00:03:55,240 --> 00:04:01,039 plays the fiddle. Hannah forced a polite giggle man's antics. He too, 49 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:05,599 rested under the ban of having come through the door, and her attention soon 50 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:12,039 wandered. Nellie got a jumping jacket very top of her stocking last Christmas, 51 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:15,240 because she's such a jumping jack herself. Or Papa said, you know, 52 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:19,160 Mama, Santa Claus puts nuts and candy and the little things in your stocking. 53 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:24,879 He puts your big things all around the room. Sometimes he brings a 54 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,959 tree and hangs them all on the tree. Virginia and Nellie wanted a tree 55 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,120 and a new doll. Virginia gets a new doll every Christmas, and she 56 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:36,439 got every doll Santi ever brought her, even her little baby rubber doll. 57 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:44,000 She's eight years old, and we'll have eight dolls. But Nellie ain't hasn't 58 00:04:44,079 --> 00:04:47,360 saved a single one, and she's scared she won't get one this Christmas. 59 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:53,759 Off scared? Why, dear, asked Missus Joseph, when Hannah paused for 60 00:04:53,879 --> 00:04:58,040 breath, Because the doll Santi brought Nellie last Christmas? You know what? 61 00:04:58,639 --> 00:05:01,000 She was playing Indian with a brother one day and chopped her head off. 62 00:05:01,879 --> 00:05:05,439 And Nellie's mama said, she don't know whether old Santie's going to forget that 63 00:05:05,759 --> 00:05:10,439 or not. But Nellie, she says, she prays hard to the Virgin 64 00:05:10,519 --> 00:05:15,120 Mary every night if she don't go to sleep too quick. Mama, what's 65 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:17,639 a virgin? Mama? What's a virgin? Is a lady who has never 66 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:24,079 been married, answered Missus Joseph, putting the neglected musician back into his box. 67 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:30,319 Anna wrestled alone for a moment with a mighty ecclesiastical problem, and then 68 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:34,399 gave it up. The Virgin Mary is God's mother. Hannah continued, that's 69 00:05:34,399 --> 00:05:40,319 her picture over our fireplace, pointing to a copy of a Crewe thirteenth century 70 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:46,120 Madonna and child in a carved Gothic frame, which Eli and rose Joseph had 71 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:49,839 bought in Italy while on their wedding trip. Flanked now by candles burning and 72 00:05:49,959 --> 00:05:56,680 silver candelabra in honor of Hanukkah. It gave the mantle a passing resemblance to 73 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:00,959 a Catholic shrine. I don't think God's mother is very pretty, do you, 74 00:06:01,079 --> 00:06:05,360 Mama? And I think Nellie's little brother is a heap prettier in God. 75 00:06:05,439 --> 00:06:11,040 When he was the baby, Missus Joseph showed signs of having reached the 76 00:06:11,079 --> 00:06:15,240 limit. Hannah, she said firmly, It is time you were in bed, 77 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,879 But Papa hasn't come home yet. Papa will be late tonight. Here 78 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:24,759 the Christmas rush side, Hannah. Mama, you haven't looked down my throat 79 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:29,399 today, she added, Playing for time, Missus Joseph went through the daily 80 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:32,879 ritual. It looks all right, she pronounced. It is all right. 81 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:38,720 Came the triumphant answer. It is never going to be sore again, Virginia 82 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,920 says. Never mind what Virginia says. If your throat ever hurts you the 83 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:46,439 least little bit, you are to come to me instantly and tell me. 84 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:50,439 Do you understand, Yes, Mama, But it isn't going to hurt anymore, 85 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:57,439 Hannah insisted come on upstairs to bed. Still, Hannah hung back. 86 00:06:57,959 --> 00:07:00,079 She had not played her trump card yet, and the time was short. 87 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:04,279 She caught her mother's slim, white hand in hers and fingered nervously at the 88 00:07:04,399 --> 00:07:11,600 rings. Mama, she almost whispered, Virginia says, it's Jewish mama's fault 89 00:07:11,639 --> 00:07:15,199 that santi Claus don't come to see Jewish children. If the mamas would just 90 00:07:15,279 --> 00:07:18,439 go to santi and tell him to come, you will, won't you, 91 00:07:18,519 --> 00:07:24,240 Mama? Please, Mama, Hannah, not another word about Christmas and santi 92 00:07:24,279 --> 00:07:30,240 Claus. Not another word. Hannah swallowed something that came in her throat and 93 00:07:30,319 --> 00:07:34,160 bravely winked back tears. Cat Mandy put me to bed, No, dear 94 00:07:34,319 --> 00:07:38,959 Mandy is busy in the kitchen. Mama will put you to bed and tell 95 00:07:38,959 --> 00:07:44,120 you stories. She bent down and kissed the child tenderly. Hannah flung her 96 00:07:44,199 --> 00:07:47,279 arms about her mother's neck. She loved the feel of the soft throat and 97 00:07:47,319 --> 00:07:51,720 the gently curving bosom against her little cheek, and the fragrance of her mother's 98 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:58,120 hair and silken laces. She didn't know that her mother looked like a portrait 99 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,519 by Raphael. But she did know that her mama was the prettiest, sweetest 100 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:05,560 mama in all the world. And yet, Mama, I'm so tired of 101 00:08:05,639 --> 00:08:11,639 stories about the children of Israel. They never did anything funny. Mandy tells 102 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:15,560 me tales about the old Plantashun when her mom was a slave, and old 103 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:20,160 Mars and old Miz going to town and giving Santa Claus money so as he'd 104 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:24,240 bring beads and juice, harps and things to the little niggers, and he 105 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:28,120 never forgot one, from the biggest to the littlest darkie. Santa didn't. 106 00:08:28,439 --> 00:08:35,200 The child's body began to tremble with repressed sobs. I wished I was a 107 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:41,759 little darkie. It's awful sad to be a little Jewish child at Christmas time. 108 00:08:41,639 --> 00:08:46,080 And then the storm broke. Two hours later, Eli Joseph's tired step 109 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:50,639 sounded on the verandah, and Rose hurried to admit him, lifting a silencing 110 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:54,600 hand. As soon as he crossed the threshold. Hannah has just gone to 111 00:08:54,639 --> 00:08:58,799 sleep, she whispered. No, no, she's not sick at all. 112 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:03,759 He placed an arm around her and drew her into the library. Eli, 113 00:09:03,879 --> 00:09:07,720 your overcoat is what she exclaimed, untwining her arms from his neck snow, 114 00:09:07,840 --> 00:09:11,960 he said, his good looking, boyish face lighting up with pleasure. Seems 115 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:16,799 we are to have a white Christmas after all Christmas, she cried. I 116 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:20,039 wish I could never hear that word again. Well, I'm glad it only 117 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:24,759 comes once a year. Tonight ends my siege, though tomorrow night Stein goes 118 00:09:24,799 --> 00:09:28,799 on duty and I come home for dinner to stay. Rose, darling, 119 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:33,279 you look all tired out. You shouldn't wait up for me. It isn't 120 00:09:33,279 --> 00:09:37,240 that. It's Hannah. She cried for more than an hour to night. 121 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:41,120 And but for Mandy and her tails, I believe she would still be crying. 122 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:45,480 And she detailed the scene to him. But good gracious Rose, let 123 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:48,080 Santa Claus bring her presents to her, said Eli, when she had finished. 124 00:09:48,759 --> 00:09:54,159 Hannah's nothing but a baby. She is beginning to think for herself, 125 00:09:54,799 --> 00:09:58,399 as you did at a very early age, he reminded her. And your 126 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:03,240 father, the strictest of Orthodox rabbis, how old were you when you began 127 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:07,960 slipping off to the reform temple. I broke my father's heart, she said, 128 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:13,000 somberly. I'll be punished through Hannah, not unless you let Hannah think 129 00:10:13,039 --> 00:10:16,279 faster than you do. And remember, he added teasingly, if you hadn't 130 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,759 run off to the reform temple, you would never have met me outside. 131 00:10:20,759 --> 00:10:24,960 At the foot of the steps, she recalled, I would never have met 132 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:28,480 you inside. Maybe I'm a lax, he acknowledged. But it seems to 133 00:10:28,519 --> 00:10:33,840 me that if you are living a decent life yourself giving the other fellow a 134 00:10:33,919 --> 00:10:39,120 square deal, you are pretty nearly fulfilling the law and the prophets. And 135 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:43,080 what do you suppose is happening to Hannah with a Christian science family on one 136 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:48,080 side and Roman Catholics on the other, she demanded. Tragically, She's decided 137 00:10:48,159 --> 00:10:52,639 not to take any more medicine because Virginia Lawrence doesn't. She has Nellie Hallaeranz 138 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:58,080 every expression about the Virgin and the Savior. Not only that, but she 139 00:10:58,159 --> 00:11:03,440 has made friends with a Christian Science practitioner through the Lawrences and calls him my 140 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:07,480 friend, mister Jackson. She runs to meet him and walks the length of 141 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:11,320 the block with him every time he passes. Hannah is certainly a natural born 142 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:16,440 mixer, laughed the father. We are saving ourselves trouble by giving her the 143 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:20,799 best there is to mix with. Eli I am afraid we have made a 144 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:26,879 mistake moving out here away from all her people. No, we didn't make 145 00:11:26,919 --> 00:11:31,240 a mistake, he declared earnestly. The square was no place to bring up 146 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:35,720 Hannah among those partn of Jews. We have the prettiest home on the heights 147 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:39,559 and the best people in town for our neighbors. Our child is losing her 148 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:45,320 identity as a Jewish. Let her find it again as an American, he 149 00:11:45,399 --> 00:11:48,919 replied frankly. Rose, I don't lose any sleep over trying to keep my 150 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:54,080 identity is a Jew intact. If the Jew doesn't like it here, let 151 00:11:54,159 --> 00:11:56,840 him go back to Palestine, or does the country that oppressed him. I 152 00:11:56,919 --> 00:12:03,279 say, I've got the same amount of patience with these hyphenated Americans as I 153 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,039 have with the Jews who try to segregate themselves and dot the map with new 154 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:13,120 Jerusalems. Where's the scents? And throwing yourself into the melting pot, glad 155 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:16,320 at the chance, and then kicking because you come out something different. Come 156 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:20,120 on to be dear. You are as pale as a ghost, and I'm 157 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:24,279 so tired I can't see straight. Our baby is all right, don't you 158 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:30,039 worry. Snowfalls on the just and the unjust. There was quite as much 159 00:12:30,039 --> 00:12:33,879 of it and Hannah's backyard as in either Virginia's or Nelly's. Perhaps even a 160 00:12:33,879 --> 00:12:39,679 little more had drifted into the fence corners. Hannah's joy in discovering that in 161 00:12:39,759 --> 00:12:45,440 this respect she had not been slighted crowded her troubles into the background. Immediately 162 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:50,039 after breakfast, bundled up snugly, she stood in her yard and threw snowballs 163 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:54,559 toward her neighbors homes while she squealed with delight. In a very few minutes, 164 00:12:54,600 --> 00:13:00,759 three little girls were playing where only one had played before. Newcomers, 165 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:07,360 Virginia Lawrence and Nellie Halleran, presented an interesting contrast. Virginia, slim and 166 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:11,799 tall for her age, with long, flat yellow braids, handled the snow 167 00:13:11,879 --> 00:13:16,000 daintily, even gingerly. Nellie, fat and dimpled her curls, tousled into 168 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:20,840 a flame colored halo, rolled over and over in the snow, and then 169 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:26,720 shook herself like a puppy. Until the advent of Hannah, a subtle antagonism 170 00:13:26,799 --> 00:13:31,799 that existed between the two children, Virginia's favorite game was playing a lady with 171 00:13:31,879 --> 00:13:35,559 a train floating gracefully behind her. Nellie's cheap joy and life was seeing how 172 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:39,320 long she could stand on her head, her short skirts of band laws of 173 00:13:39,399 --> 00:13:45,600 gravity. All the while, Hannah, however, vibrated obligingly between the two 174 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:50,960 sports and kept the peace and violin romping in the snow was hard play, 175 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:54,759 and presently the little girl sat panting on the top step of the Joseph's back 176 00:13:54,840 --> 00:14:00,919 porch. Immediately, Nellie produced a string of amistice colored beads from her coat 177 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:05,879 pocket with the announcement that she would say her prayers while resting. What kind 178 00:14:05,879 --> 00:14:09,279 of beads are those? Asked Hannah, rosary beats, course, responded Nelly, 179 00:14:09,879 --> 00:14:13,559 Hannah, you don't know anything. I do too, But you don't 180 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:18,440 even know about the Mother of God. Until I told you, I reckon, 181 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:22,440 I thought God was an orphan, Hannah pleaded in extenuation. But what 182 00:14:22,519 --> 00:14:26,679 about God's papa, she demanded, his sudden inspiration. You're so smarty, 183 00:14:26,759 --> 00:14:31,440 tell me about that. Oh, God didn't have to have a father, 184 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:35,480 Nelly answered, easily. Everything is free in heaven, so he didn't have 185 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:39,440 to have a father to work for him when he was little. Then why 186 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:41,639 did he have to have a mama to tell him what to do? Of 187 00:14:41,639 --> 00:14:45,919 course, do you know how'tis? If you ask your papa anything, 188 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:50,240 don't he always say go ask your mama? Anne, I had noticed this 189 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:56,399 shifting of masculine responsibility more than once. That's so she acquiesced, and then 190 00:14:56,399 --> 00:15:00,080 a terrible thought struck her. I don't want to go to heaven. I 191 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:05,320 don't want to go anywhere unless my papa can go too. Nellie's nimble, 192 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:09,440 irish wits were ready. I just said God didn't need any papa. Of 193 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:13,559 course, our papas will go to heaven because that's the only place they can 194 00:15:13,639 --> 00:15:16,879 quit working. Didn't I hear my papa say one time he hoped he'd get 195 00:15:16,879 --> 00:15:22,440 a little rest in heaven because he never got any on this earth. But 196 00:15:22,559 --> 00:15:26,840 you have to die before you get to heaven side Hannah Virginia, who had 197 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:31,639 maintained a most dignified silence, looked as if she must speak or explode. 198 00:15:31,159 --> 00:15:35,919 No, you don't. Heaven begins here and now, she recided, And 199 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:39,320 if you were good, you are well and happy, and that's heaven. 200 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:43,360 Tisn't scoff Nellie? Do you see any angels fly around in this here yard? 201 00:15:43,799 --> 00:15:50,000 I don't. Hannah rather took to Virginia's argument and resolved to have conversation 202 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:54,840 with her sometime, Undampened by Nellie's skepticism, if there could be feasting on 203 00:15:54,919 --> 00:15:58,799 the joys of heaven here and now, Hannah had every intention of being at 204 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:04,399 banquet table at the present moment. However, the rosary beads were a fascinating 205 00:16:04,399 --> 00:16:08,039 interest. She must hold them in her own hands and watch the play of 206 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:12,960 purple lights upon the snow as she flashed them in the sun. Questions about 207 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:18,679 the crucifix she found brought on an embarrassing silence. Nellie looked at Virginia. 208 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:25,879 Virginia looked at Nelly. Then the two excused themselves for a whispered colloquy at 209 00:16:25,879 --> 00:16:30,240 the other end of the yard. When they returned, Virginia acted as spokesman, 210 00:16:30,679 --> 00:16:34,679 fixing Nelly with an unrelenting eye. That is, Jesus nailed to the 211 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:40,600 cross, Hannah, some very wicked people did it. There was nothing exciting 212 00:16:40,639 --> 00:16:45,519 in this to Hannah. Wicked people were doing wicked things the world over all 213 00:16:45,559 --> 00:16:49,039 the time. The statement fell flat, and Nelly, disappointed at the lack 214 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:53,639 of dramatic effect, broke treaty. I spect the Jews did it? She 215 00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:59,360 said they did not. Hannah's voice trembled. The Jews are nice people. 216 00:16:59,519 --> 00:17:03,519 They wouldn't a wicked thing like that. Virginia put an arm across Hannah's shoulders. 217 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,960 Now see what you've done, she snapped at Nelly. Oh I spect 218 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:14,240 the Irish helped him. Nelly added magnanimously. My papa, says the Irish. 219 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:18,960 You're into everything, not having to bear the ignominy alone. Hannah was 220 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:22,319 comforted. What makes you say prayers on the beach, she asked, because 221 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:26,319 I want Sante to bring me a doll tonight. I wrote him about sixteen 222 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:32,240 letters, and I'm going to say my Rosary a dozen times today tomorrow was 223 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:37,720 Christmas Day. Anna's face fell, all her sorrows returned with a rush. 224 00:17:37,279 --> 00:17:41,200 Have you got any more of those beach he asked, yes, but they 225 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:45,319 wouldn't do you any good. Nelly answered, with quick understanding. You're not 226 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:51,240 a Catholic. Couldn't I be one? Not unless you're baptized with Hollywood the 227 00:17:51,279 --> 00:17:56,160 priest does it? The levin had begun to work. What did your mama 228 00:17:56,200 --> 00:18:00,599 say about asking Santa Claus to come? Virginny inquired, with a quick glance 229 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:06,119 toward the beads. Hannah shook her head speechless. She pressed her lips into 230 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:10,519 a tight line with an effort at self control, but two large tears rolled 231 00:18:10,559 --> 00:18:15,400 down her cheeks and splashed on her scarlet coat. Again, Virginia placed an 232 00:18:15,519 --> 00:18:21,440 arm protectingly across Hannah's shoulders. Nellie's bright blue eyes grew soft with pity. 233 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:26,319 I tell you what, she exclaimed. I'll baptize Hannah. Then she'll be 234 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:30,359 a gentile, and Santa Claus will come no matter what. And when your 235 00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:33,079 mama sees how nice it is, she won't care. But you said a 236 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:37,839 priest has to baptize anybody, objected at Virginia. He does less. It's 237 00:18:37,839 --> 00:18:41,240 a time of danger, and you can't get any priest than any Catholic can 238 00:18:41,279 --> 00:18:47,519 baptize anybody. My mama baptized our washerwoman's little baby because they knew it was 239 00:18:47,559 --> 00:18:51,880 going to die before Father Murphy could get there. It ain't this a time 240 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:59,119 of danger. Nobody's dying. Virginia was distressingly literal. Hannah looked from one 241 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:03,279 friend to the other, hoping against hope. No, but there's danger. 242 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:07,359 Santa Claus won't come to see Hannah lest something is done mighty quick came Nellie's 243 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:11,200 ready reply, and can't we get a priest? You go get one, 244 00:19:11,319 --> 00:19:15,519 Virginia, go get one. Clearly there was no answer to this. The 245 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:22,079 ceremony was set for early afternoon, when grandmother Haloran took her nap and Nellie 246 00:19:22,079 --> 00:19:26,519 could borrow the bottle of holy water from her shelf. As to the place, 247 00:19:26,599 --> 00:19:30,519 there were six boys at the Halaranes always in the way, Missus Lawrence 248 00:19:30,559 --> 00:19:34,440 had guessed. Obviously the baptismal wright would have to be performed at Hannah's house. 249 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:40,119 After lunch, the children assembled in the sun parlor of the Joseph's home, 250 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:44,599 in full view of Missus Joseph, who sat embroidering in the library. 251 00:19:45,039 --> 00:19:49,519 The French door closed between them so that she could not hear. Nellie had 252 00:19:49,519 --> 00:19:55,319 secured the bottle of holy water and arrayed in her brother Joe's long black raincoat, 253 00:19:55,759 --> 00:20:00,559 a towel about her neck for a stole. Acted as priest. Virginia, 254 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:03,880 not to be left out of such an important affair, consented to be 255 00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:08,000 godmother in lieu of a prayer. Manuel Nelly used one of Hannah's story books. 256 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,480 She chose a verse, which, because she knew it by heart, 257 00:20:11,559 --> 00:20:17,480 she could read exceptionally well, little boy Blue, come blow your horn. 258 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:21,680 The sheep are in the metal and the cows are in the corn. Then 259 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:26,640 she poured a little of the holy water on Hannah's forehead wet hair might occasion 260 00:20:26,759 --> 00:20:34,200 unanswerable questions, and baptized her. Hannah agnes Anaceus Joseph called upon for a 261 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:40,920 response. The Godmother recited very impressively the scientific statement of being as found in 262 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:45,279 the Christian Science textbook, and Hannah was pronounced a Gentile and a Catholic. 263 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:51,160 One thing more remained to be done. Hannah ran to her mother, cheeks 264 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:55,480 aglow, Mama, may I trade my stripe ball to Nelly for some beads. 265 00:20:56,039 --> 00:20:59,400 Why, of course, darling, if you wish, the exchange was 266 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:02,759 made. In some time was spent in mastering the use of the rosary. 267 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:07,279 All three of the children knew that our father, though there were some difference 268 00:21:07,319 --> 00:21:11,880 of opinion as to debts and trespasses, which is apt to hold in all 269 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:15,519 mixed congregations. The Hail Mary proved a bit difficult for Hannah, and she 270 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:21,400 fondly abandoned it. I'll say, Hero Israel, the Lord, our God, 271 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:25,160 the Lord is one, she said. I already know that, And 272 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:30,000 a prayer is a prayer, isn't it. Nellie refilled the holy water bottle 273 00:21:30,039 --> 00:21:33,559 from a kitchen hydrant and hurried home to replace it before her grandmother should awaken. 274 00:21:34,519 --> 00:21:38,279 Hannah spent the next hour life flat on her stomach, printing letters, 275 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:44,960 appealing to Virginia from time to time for aid as to the spelling. Virginia 276 00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:51,160 being a very superior speller. Missus Joseph was busy with callers. When Virginia 277 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:55,920 went home and Hannah was left to her own devices. Suddenly she thought of 278 00:21:56,000 --> 00:22:00,359 one stone that had been left unturned. There was her friend, mister Jahs, 279 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:03,720 to whom the Lawrence has always appealed in times of stress. She knew 280 00:22:03,759 --> 00:22:08,119 the formula, She knew his number were on the list by the Lawrence's telephone. 281 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:14,400 His name, like Abubin Adams, led all the rest Maine one, 282 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:18,599 two, three four. It was easy to counting. She slipped into the 283 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:22,839 telephone closet and closed the door. There was no trouble with Hannah that night. 284 00:22:23,319 --> 00:22:26,920 She went to bed early and didn't care to have any stories told. 285 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:33,559 She could go to sleep by herself. Quite a change of heariday Eli commented 286 00:22:33,599 --> 00:22:37,680 at the Rose as they sat by the living room fire after telling their little 287 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:41,000 girl good night. She's been like that all day, playing as happily as 288 00:22:41,039 --> 00:22:45,000 you please. Rose responded, I suppose she got it all out of her 289 00:22:45,039 --> 00:22:51,799 system and last night's seen Eli drummed abstractedly on the arm of his chair. 290 00:22:52,680 --> 00:22:56,960 I don't feel quite right about it, even so, he said, maybe 291 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:00,559 you will think me inconsistent, She confessed, blushing. Hannah was so indifferent 292 00:23:00,599 --> 00:23:06,160 about the present center for Hanukkah. I only showed her too. I've save 293 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:08,519 the others to give her Christmas Day so she will have something of her own 294 00:23:08,559 --> 00:23:14,279 to show when the other children bring theirs over. Eli didn't seem any too 295 00:23:14,359 --> 00:23:22,359 pleased. Poor little mite, he murmured, Yes, Missus Joseph, it 296 00:23:22,480 --> 00:23:27,319 was Bridget Hallanan's old family servant, calling softly from the hall. I'll be 297 00:23:27,519 --> 00:23:33,039 after taking the prisons he stored away for us. I'll have him on the 298 00:23:33,079 --> 00:23:37,000 back porch and carry him over when the children are all asleep. Nellie's in 299 00:23:37,039 --> 00:23:41,119 bed like a little angel, bless her heart. But them divilish boys do 300 00:23:41,279 --> 00:23:47,000 be a snoop and in every crack and corner, Missus Joseph unlocked a closet 301 00:23:47,079 --> 00:23:52,440 under the stairs and loaded Bridget's arms with heavy and bulky parcels. Sureantis, 302 00:23:52,480 --> 00:23:56,519 a sad Christmas will be having, saying the children. Mister timmy him. 303 00:23:56,599 --> 00:24:00,599 That's old missus haller NaN's youngest but old enough to know better. He upped 304 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:06,359 and runs away today. And Mary's a Protestant girl. And if you open 305 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:10,440 your window the bit have a crack, you'll hear the poor old lady this 306 00:24:10,559 --> 00:24:14,519 minute. Well, and like a banshee. But mister Timothy is such a 307 00:24:14,599 --> 00:24:18,240 nice young man. He must have married a lovely girl, Bridget, said 308 00:24:18,319 --> 00:24:21,240 Rose. Sure, and that may be, but she is a Protestant, 309 00:24:21,279 --> 00:24:25,039 Missus Joseph. She runs away from her folks, and he runs away from 310 00:24:25,079 --> 00:24:27,720 his, and they get married by the justice of peace. And no peace 311 00:24:27,759 --> 00:24:32,799 will come a such thing, Lord, and mercy on their souls, Oh, 312 00:24:32,799 --> 00:24:37,799 poor Grandma Hollernan, poor lovers, said Eli. When Bridget had gone, 313 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:40,839 I'll wager they had the very deuce of a time with both sides. 314 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:45,119 No sooner had they settled themselves again than the door knocker sounded, Eli, 315 00:24:45,240 --> 00:24:51,920 admitted mister Jackson, the Christian science practitioner. I have only a minute, 316 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:55,720 he said, I just dropped by to leave a doll my wife dressed for 317 00:24:55,880 --> 00:25:00,759 your little girl. She chose one that we thought looked like Hannah. Oh 318 00:25:00,799 --> 00:25:03,920 but this is kind of you, Rose looked her gratitude. Missus Laurence has 319 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:07,559 told me how busy both you and your wife always are, and to take 320 00:25:07,599 --> 00:25:11,359 time to think of our little girl. I had intended to give it to 321 00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:15,880 her myself, mister Jackson continued, but after her talk with me to day, 322 00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:19,400 I decided she would enjoy it more if I asked Santa Claus to bring 323 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:25,480 it. His eyes twinkled reminiscently. She called me up by telephone and asked 324 00:25:25,519 --> 00:25:29,319 me to give Santa Claus a treatment. She seemed to think that he would 325 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:33,039 pass her by. I could assure her that he wouldn't, as I had 326 00:25:33,039 --> 00:25:37,720 already seen the doll. Hannah is a wonderful child, we think, so, 327 00:25:37,759 --> 00:25:41,839 smiled Eli. I'm sure we thank you and wish you the very merriest 328 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:45,440 Christmas. Anne, it will be a happy Christmas for me, he answered, 329 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:49,640 I'm going to the station to meet my father and mother. Some years 330 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:53,559 ago. They felt a strange for me. Bear, both staunch Presbyterians of 331 00:25:53,599 --> 00:25:57,440 the Old School, and it nearly broke their hearts when I went into Christian 332 00:25:57,519 --> 00:26:03,240 Science work. But they are beginning to look more tolerantly upon my calling, 333 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:07,279 and they are on their way now to spend Christmas with us. You can 334 00:26:07,279 --> 00:26:11,799 guess how happy that makes me. Peace on earth, goodwill to men. 335 00:26:11,319 --> 00:26:15,880 It is a wonder working thought, it is, indeed, Eli agreed heartily. 336 00:26:17,759 --> 00:26:21,480 When the door had closed upon their visitor, Rose and Eli stood staring 337 00:26:21,519 --> 00:26:26,400 at each other rather foolishly. She was the first to speak, is there 338 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:32,599 no end to the fight between the old and the new generation? We're just 339 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:36,599 beginning the scrap with our new generation, he said. She called him up 340 00:26:36,599 --> 00:26:40,680 and asked for Christian Science help. I wonder what else the little monkey has 341 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:45,559 been up to. They soon found out, carrying the doll mister Jackson had 342 00:26:45,559 --> 00:26:49,480 brought. Rose tiptoed after Eli into the nursery and gradually turned on the light. 343 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:55,759 The first object to meet their eyes was Hannah Stocking, hanging precariously to 344 00:26:55,839 --> 00:27:00,000 a pin driven into the mantle. Pinned to the wall were several message, 345 00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:06,279 neatly printed in pencil, which told her own tale. Dear Santie, Nellie 346 00:27:06,279 --> 00:27:11,559 baptized me holy water, Hannah, Dear Santie I want things in my stocking. 347 00:27:12,079 --> 00:27:18,400 Hannah, Dear Santa Claus, I'm a gentile Nellie baptized me. I'm 348 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:26,359 a gentile Catholic c s Hannah, Dear Santi, bring me any nice things 349 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:30,359 you got left would love? Hannah, Dear Santie, don't let my mama 350 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:37,119 and papa get mad about you, Hannah. Eli began to chortle, and 351 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:41,960 Hannah stirred in her sleep, throwing both chubby arms over her head, clutched 352 00:27:41,960 --> 00:27:45,519 tightly in her left hand. They saw a rosary of Amesist colored beads. 353 00:27:47,079 --> 00:27:51,440 Rose snapped off the light and pushed Eli out into the hall. He sat 354 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:55,200 down on the stairs and laughed until he cried. The dog gone a little 355 00:27:55,240 --> 00:28:00,039 mixer, He chuckled a gentile Catholic Christian scientist as she if she has ever 356 00:28:00,079 --> 00:28:03,720 happened to hear anything about Mahomet, believe me. She's sleeping with her feet 357 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:11,960 toward Mecca right now. Rose was weeping silently over the little message, don't 358 00:28:11,039 --> 00:28:15,880 let my mamma and my papa get mad bout you. She touched her husband 359 00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:19,480 on the shoulder. Eli, what shall we do about it? Do? 360 00:28:19,759 --> 00:28:23,519 He stood up and set his jaw determinedly. You spoke just now, the 361 00:28:23,599 --> 00:28:27,279 fight between the old and the new generations. Do you see what we are 362 00:28:27,319 --> 00:28:32,839 coming to? If we don't conceal our child her legitimate rights, she will 363 00:28:32,839 --> 00:28:37,200 seek them out and take them by force, and never forgive us for withholding 364 00:28:37,279 --> 00:28:41,400 them. That's what every child who has ever heard of Santa Claus has a 365 00:28:41,480 --> 00:28:45,359 right to enjoy. The men didn't I give a hundred dollars to the elks 366 00:28:45,359 --> 00:28:48,519 and a hundred dollars to the big brothers who were looking after the empty stockings 367 00:28:48,599 --> 00:28:52,839 of the poor children, while my own baby he'd reached the bedroom door and 368 00:28:53,039 --> 00:28:59,000 was kicking off his house slippers. Eli, where are you going down town 369 00:28:59,079 --> 00:29:02,279 to see Santa Claus? As if I have to break open a dozen stores, 370 00:29:02,559 --> 00:29:07,079 he answered determinedly. It seemed that Santa Claus, never having visited Hannah 371 00:29:07,160 --> 00:29:11,640 before, had a mind to make up for lost time. An overflowing stocking 372 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:15,920 hung from the mantel, the tree loaded with presents and tinsels stood by her 373 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:21,960 bed without the room or placed large gifts everything a little girl might wish for. 374 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:26,079 Anna was dazed. She didn't see her mother and father standing in the 375 00:29:26,119 --> 00:29:30,039 doorway of the nursery. Their arms about each other and smiling. She tugged 376 00:29:30,039 --> 00:29:34,000 at her window until it opened, and then called to Nellie across the intervening 377 00:29:34,039 --> 00:29:37,920 space. He came, He came, She screamed, as a tossle of 378 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:42,960 flame colored head showed at the window opposite Anna, brushed by her parents, 379 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:48,200 and running to the window near his Virginia's room, repeated her message. Then 380 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:52,640 she came back into the nursery, still oblivious of mother and father, and 381 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:57,400 stared about in her ecstasy. Vaccasion called for some expression of thanksgiving. What 382 00:29:57,599 --> 00:30:02,440 could it be? The seven year old child hasn't words for such a big 383 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:07,279 emotion. She could think of but one thing to do. Reverently, bowing 384 00:30:07,319 --> 00:30:14,319 her little bronze head, she made the sign of the Cross upside down and 385 00:30:14,519 --> 00:30:17,480 of the Little Mixer by Lillian Nicholson. Sheeran