1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,879 Speaker 1: Major Pendallus. A Christmas story by Frank R. Stockton On 2 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:10,240 December twenty fourth, eighteen eighty I was standing in a 3 00:00:10,279 --> 00:00:14,800 little American Country railway station in a state of perplexity. 4 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,519 Near me, sitting in a chair by the stove, was 5 00:00:18,559 --> 00:00:23,239 a young lady, also in a state of perplexity. Facing 6 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,679 us both stood the station master, who had been in 7 00:00:26,719 --> 00:00:29,960 a state of perplexity, but twas getting out of it. 8 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,280 Just you wait here ten minutes, he said, and I'll 9 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:36,840 see what I can do for you, And putting on 10 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,320 a fur cap and an ulster, he went out of doors. 11 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:44,759 The state of the case was this Miss Weldon. The 12 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:47,600 lady by the stove, was on her way to join 13 00:00:47,600 --> 00:00:50,920 a Christmas party at the house of her uncle, mister Dolliver, 14 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:55,520 some seven miles from the station, and I, invited to 15 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,159 the same house, had been delighted to meet her on 16 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:02,920 the train. Friends and had studied art together in Paris. 17 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,400 When we left the city in a morning train, a 18 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:09,920 little snow was beginning to fall, and as we journeyed 19 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:13,719 northward we found the snowfall heavier and heavier. And we 20 00:01:13,799 --> 00:01:16,599 had arrived at this little village of Boynton at three 21 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:21,799 o'clock in the afternoon, an hour behind time. From Boynton 22 00:01:21,879 --> 00:01:23,920 to the Dolliver house. We were to go by a 23 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,560 stage coach, but the stage driver had left more than 24 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:32,400 an hour previously, hurrying away before his ordinary time of starting, 25 00:01:32,599 --> 00:01:35,239 for fear the road would be blocked up before he 26 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,159 could get to his home a good twelve miles away, 27 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,519 and assuring himself that there would be no passengers for 28 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:46,319 him on such a day. It was reasonably enough that 29 00:01:46,439 --> 00:01:50,040 we should be perplexed, for we could not see, nor 30 00:01:50,079 --> 00:01:53,120 at first could the station master see how we were 31 00:01:53,159 --> 00:01:56,959 to get to our journey's end that day. If we 32 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:00,560 would wait until next day, he told us the stage 33 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,480 driver would be back in a sleigh. He said he 34 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,719 would be sure to come for Christmas packages, if not 35 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:10,759 for passengers. But we could not wait until next day. 36 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:13,719 It would be better to return to the city in 37 00:02:13,759 --> 00:02:17,919 the next down train if happily one should come. We 38 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:20,840 could not hope that the Dollivers would send for us, 39 00:02:21,199 --> 00:02:24,639 for if they saw the stage pass without stopping, they 40 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,199 would be sure we had not come by the train. 41 00:02:28,479 --> 00:02:31,280 The station master was a good man and did his 42 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:34,520 best to get us out of our trouble. He had 43 00:02:34,599 --> 00:02:38,199 doubts about another train coming down that day. It was 44 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,919 a branch road, there was one track, and he thought 45 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,680 it would be a great pity if the Dollivers should 46 00:02:43,719 --> 00:02:47,199 be deprived of the company of two of their Christmas guests. 47 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:49,719 A lot of them had come up the day before. 48 00:02:51,319 --> 00:02:54,120 Nobody in the village made a business of hiring out 49 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:58,159 vehicles or carrying passengers, but an idea had struck the 50 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:00,759 station master, and he had gone out to see what 51 00:03:00,879 --> 00:03:04,080 he could do with it. In about a quarter of 52 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:08,639 an hour he returned. Well, sir, he said, there is 53 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,039 just one thing you can do. There isn't anybody in 54 00:03:12,039 --> 00:03:14,599 this village who will go to Dollivers to day, for 55 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,680 there is no chance of getting back to night. But 56 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:21,199 the man who keeps the store here, and mister Peter Chase, 57 00:03:21,599 --> 00:03:24,680 has got a horse and sleigh. And if you choose 58 00:03:24,719 --> 00:03:27,000 to hire that of him and do your own driving, 59 00:03:27,439 --> 00:03:29,560 I think you can get it if you are willing 60 00:03:29,599 --> 00:03:32,360 to pay him something extra, for he'll have to send 61 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,759 a man over to morrow with the stage driver to 62 00:03:34,759 --> 00:03:39,120 bring it back. And besides, in rough times like these, 63 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:44,560 people always charge something extra. I put the matter before 64 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,560 Miss Weldon, and she did not hesitate to say that, 65 00:03:47,719 --> 00:03:50,280 rather than take the risk of being obliged to remain 66 00:03:50,319 --> 00:03:53,599 in the village where there were no accommodations for strangers, 67 00:03:53,919 --> 00:03:56,479 she would take the risk of letting me drive her 68 00:03:56,479 --> 00:04:00,919 to the dollivers. It is only seven miles, she said, 69 00:04:01,319 --> 00:04:03,840 and if the horse is good enough, I don't see 70 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:07,680 what there is to happen. I tramped through the snow 71 00:04:07,759 --> 00:04:11,199 to Peter Chase's store and quickly arranged with him for 72 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,280 the hire of his horse and sleigh. Five dollars may 73 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,120 seem a good deal, sir, he said, for a trip 74 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,639 like that, But this is a pretty deep snow, and 75 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,600 we all ought to remember that Christmas comes, but once 76 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,639 a year. I'll have the sleigh round at the station 77 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:32,480 in ten minutes. In half an hour, a little sleigh 78 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,639 drawn by a big brown horse came up to the 79 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:39,639 back door of the station. I would have been here sooner, 80 00:04:39,959 --> 00:04:42,959 said mister Chase, but it was a good while before 81 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,120 I could find the bells, and I knowed you wouldn't 82 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:50,480 want to take a Christmas sleigh ride without bells. I 83 00:04:50,639 --> 00:04:53,959 did not complain of the delay, although I had been 84 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:58,639 getting dreadfully impatient. The station master had had a telegram 85 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:01,160 from up the line, stay eating that a down train 86 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,040 with a snowplow was on its way, and I was 87 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:07,160 very much afraid that Miss Weldon would conclude to wait 88 00:05:07,319 --> 00:05:10,480 and take this train back to the city. So without 89 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:15,199 loss of time, we bundled in the Christmas minded. Mister 90 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:19,160 Chase had brought two heavy fur robes. Our valises were 91 00:05:19,199 --> 00:05:22,680 packed in behind the sleigh, being of the box variety, 92 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:26,959 and we were ready. There is no mistake in the way, 93 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:30,519 said mister Chase. You go straight ahead until you come 94 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:35,160 to the house, which I know perfectly well, added Miss Weldon, 95 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:40,439 and away we jingled. The snow was still falling, but 96 00:05:40,519 --> 00:05:43,199 we did not mind that, And now that we had 97 00:05:43,199 --> 00:05:46,120 started off, I was glad that mister Chase had waited 98 00:05:46,199 --> 00:05:49,720 to find the bells. Their merry little jingles suited my 99 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:54,360 spirits well. A jolly's sleigh ride with Clara Weldon was 100 00:05:54,439 --> 00:05:58,040 more enjoyment than I had counted on for this Christmas. 101 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:02,560 A young man and a young woman, both of lively dispositions, 102 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:07,040 good friends, fellow workers, and nothing more, are much more 103 00:06:07,199 --> 00:06:09,560 likely to have a merry time in a case like 104 00:06:09,639 --> 00:06:12,319 this than if they were a pair of lovers, or 105 00:06:12,399 --> 00:06:15,879 even if one of them were a lover. True love 106 00:06:16,079 --> 00:06:22,360 implies a certain seriousness, and is not infrequently conducive to demureness. 107 00:06:24,199 --> 00:06:27,800 The snow was deep on the road and sometimes drifted, 108 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,079 but the sleigh went through it well enough. The horse, however, 109 00:06:32,319 --> 00:06:35,279 probably not a very good traveler on the best of roads, 110 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:39,920 made but slow progress. But although he was an animal 111 00:06:39,959 --> 00:06:45,120 of deliberate action, possessing, as Miss Weldon thought, an esthetic 112 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:48,519 turn of mind which made him object to destroy the 113 00:06:48,639 --> 00:06:52,519 virgin smoothness of the snow with his great hoofs he 114 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:57,160 was strong, and that was the main point with reason 115 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,439 to believe that we should safely reach our journeys end. 116 00:07:00,959 --> 00:07:03,240 It did not trouble me that we were making that 117 00:07:03,399 --> 00:07:07,079 journey slowly, and my companion appeared to be of my 118 00:07:07,199 --> 00:07:11,639 way of thinking. The beauty of the snow decorated forests, 119 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:16,399 fields and hills was enough to make our artist's heart satisfied, 120 00:07:16,759 --> 00:07:20,079 even if the horse should decline to do more than walk. 121 00:07:21,399 --> 00:07:24,319 It began to grow dark, and we had not reached 122 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,800 the hospitable mansion to which we were bound. But there 123 00:07:27,839 --> 00:07:31,759 was a beautiful weirdness in the snow, scenes softened by 124 00:07:31,759 --> 00:07:35,040 the dusky light, and our hearts and the bells were 125 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:39,720 still merry, but as it grew darker and darker, we 126 00:07:39,879 --> 00:07:42,720 both began to wish that we stood in the light 127 00:07:42,839 --> 00:07:46,839 and warmth of the Dolliver house. I whipped the horse, 128 00:07:47,199 --> 00:07:50,160 who made a few bounds through the snow and then 129 00:07:50,279 --> 00:07:54,199 relapsed into his former trot. It was of no use 130 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:59,439 to try to hurry him. Several times Miss Weldon had 131 00:07:59,439 --> 00:08:02,439 assured me that she was not in the least anxious, 132 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:04,800 and that she was sure we should now reach the 133 00:08:04,879 --> 00:08:08,879 house in a very short time. I think she was 134 00:08:08,959 --> 00:08:12,920 about to say something of the kind again, when suddenly 135 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:15,319 she exclaimed in a voice that had a ring of 136 00:08:15,399 --> 00:08:19,720 hearty cheerfulness in it, very different from her previous expressions 137 00:08:19,759 --> 00:08:24,560 of thoughtful encouragement. Here it is, didn't I tell you? 138 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:29,120 We are at the very gate? Sure enough? There was 139 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:31,439 the gate with a lamp on one of the posts, 140 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,960 and there, in the midst of its whitened grounds was 141 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:39,399 the house, its windows lighted, and a lamp on the piazza. 142 00:08:40,279 --> 00:08:42,879 When I pulled up to the door, I attempted to 143 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:47,039 bound from the sleigh, but my bound was a poor one, 144 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,679 for I found my legs were somewhat stiffened by the cold. 145 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:54,679 As I helped Miss Weldon to alight, I could perceive 146 00:08:54,799 --> 00:08:57,720 she was not nearly so active as I had generally 147 00:08:57,799 --> 00:09:01,799 known her. The door opened before we had time to 148 00:09:01,879 --> 00:09:05,200 reach it, and an elderly woman with a christmasy look 149 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:09,799 about her, which was absolutely warming, stood in the broad portal. 150 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:15,440 We stopped on the piazza before entering, stamping and shaking ourselves, 151 00:09:15,519 --> 00:09:20,279 for we were two figures of snow. Our valises are 152 00:09:20,279 --> 00:09:23,039 in the back of the sleigh, I said, and to 153 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:26,200 my surprise, my teeth chattered a little as I spoke. 154 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,480 I think the horse will stand until someone takes him. 155 00:09:31,159 --> 00:09:35,759 We then went in. Suddenly Miss Weldon stopped and looked 156 00:09:35,759 --> 00:09:38,919 from right to left, and turning to the good woman, 157 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:43,919 she exclaimed, this is not mister Dolliver's house, of course, 158 00:09:44,039 --> 00:09:48,200 not said the other. Did you think it was Major 159 00:09:48,279 --> 00:09:52,960 pendalas lives here. Miss Weldon and I looked at each 160 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:57,600 other in dismay. We have made a mistake. I said, 161 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:00,440 how much further on is it to the Dolliver place. 162 00:10:01,639 --> 00:10:05,480 It isn't farther on at all. The woman replied, it 163 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:10,279 is not on this road at all. It is too bad, 164 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,440 I said, they'd told us at Boynton it was a 165 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:17,399 straight road and we could not miss it. So it 166 00:10:17,639 --> 00:10:21,080 is but three miles below here there is a fork 167 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:26,120 that anybody might mistake, especially at night with the roads unbroken. 168 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:29,519 But come in and get warm. You must be half frozen. 169 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:32,480 I'll have a man throw a blanket over the horse. 170 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,600 And with this she showed us into a large room 171 00:10:36,639 --> 00:10:40,120 with a wood fire blazing on the hearth. She pushed 172 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:44,279 two chairs before the fire. Sit down, she said, and 173 00:10:44,399 --> 00:10:48,279 get a little warm. If I am not mistaken, this 174 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:53,639 is Miss Clara Welton. Yes, I thought so. It's been 175 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:56,960 a long time since I have seen you. I am 176 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:02,240 missus Bardsley. I keep house the maid Pendales. Excuse me 177 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:07,600 for a moment. What a grand thing this virus, said I. 178 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:12,480 And who is Major Pendalas? I never saw him in 179 00:11:12,519 --> 00:11:16,279 my life, said Miss Weldon, following my example and drawing 180 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,200 up closer to the fire. But I have often heard 181 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:21,840 of him. He used to be in the army, I think, 182 00:11:22,159 --> 00:11:24,480 And now he has a stock farm and has all 183 00:11:24,519 --> 00:11:28,039 sorts of fine horses and cows. I wonder if he 184 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:31,200 would be willing to send over to my uncle's. I 185 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,039 can't bear to think of starting out again in that 186 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:38,799 sleigh and with that horse. I was glad she did 187 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:42,360 not include the driver in her objections, and said, I 188 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:44,879 hoped that the Major would be able to do something 189 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,679 for us. But at the time I did not give 190 00:11:47,759 --> 00:11:51,200 much thought to the subject, for my whole soul was 191 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,679 occupied in reveling in the genial heat. I had had 192 00:11:54,720 --> 00:12:00,000 no idea that I was so cold. In about five minutes, 193 00:12:00,399 --> 00:12:04,159 the door opened and a tall, broad shouldered man wearing 194 00:12:04,159 --> 00:12:07,679 a heavy pea jacket and an unmistakable air of being 195 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:11,279 the master of the house entered the room. He was 196 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:15,960 middle aged, had side whiskers and bright blue eyes. We 197 00:12:16,159 --> 00:12:20,200 both rose, and with outstretched hand, he greeted Miss Weldon. 198 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:25,120 Delighted to see you, he said, in a hearty tone. 199 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:29,200 Missus Bardsley tells me you have lost your way, but 200 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:34,240 that doesn't matter. I'll make that all right. Then he 201 00:12:34,399 --> 00:12:40,360 turned towards me, and Miss Weldon introduced me Ashmead, he repeated, 202 00:12:40,399 --> 00:12:44,159 as he grasped me by the hand. Yes, I replied, 203 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:49,000 Henry g Ashmead. As I spoke, he gave me a 204 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:52,519 quick look and seemed about to say something in reference 205 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:56,240 to my name, but he checked himself and urged us 206 00:12:56,279 --> 00:12:59,799 to sit down again. What you must do now is 207 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:03,039 to get warm. Get warm, he said, and he put 208 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:07,799 two great logs on the fire. With a few quick questions, 209 00:13:07,879 --> 00:13:11,879 and without sitting down, he made himself acquainted with the situation. 210 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,960 For a moment he gazed down upon us, and then 211 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,799 he said, the first thing to do now that you 212 00:13:18,799 --> 00:13:20,960 are a little thord is to get off your coats 213 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:25,519 and wraps. That is hardly worth while, I replied, for 214 00:13:25,639 --> 00:13:28,039 as soon as we are well warmed, we must get 215 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:30,440 on in some way or other to the Dolliver house. 216 00:13:31,039 --> 00:13:35,399 Sir said Major Pendalus. There is no Dolliver house for 217 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:38,600 you to night. Here you are, and here you stay. 218 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:42,279 It is three miles back to the main road, and 219 00:13:42,399 --> 00:13:45,200 then you would have two miles more to go. And 220 00:13:45,279 --> 00:13:48,279 before you reach the Dolliver house there is a long hollow, 221 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:52,279 and at this present moment the snow is probably drifted 222 00:13:52,399 --> 00:13:56,039 five feet. If you had taken the right road, you 223 00:13:56,159 --> 00:13:58,919 most likely would have been in that snow drift. Now, 224 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,240 I have sleighs and teams enough, and no doubt I 225 00:14:03,279 --> 00:14:06,320 could pull you through. But it is blowing now as 226 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:09,000 well as snowing, and I am not going to let 227 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,440 a young lady go out into a storm like this, 228 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,039 especially when she has had already as much as she 229 00:14:15,159 --> 00:14:18,000 is able to stand of that sort of thing. Your 230 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:20,320 bags will be brought in and your horse put in 231 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:24,600 the stable. Missus Bardsley will take charge of Miss Weldon. 232 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,080 I'll attend to you, sir, and supper will be ready 233 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:31,799 in half an hour, And without waiting for an answer, 234 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:36,200 he left the room. We looked at each other and laughed. 235 00:14:37,279 --> 00:14:40,000 That is just what I hoped he would do, said 236 00:14:40,039 --> 00:14:42,919 Miss Wildon. I have had all the sleighing I want 237 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:47,480 for this day. Good, I cried, throwing off my overcoat. 238 00:14:47,759 --> 00:14:51,320 I feared I might have to persuade you. That is 239 00:14:51,399 --> 00:14:54,840 really absurd, she said, as if the storm and Major 240 00:14:54,919 --> 00:14:59,960 Pendallas were not quite enough. In five minutes, Miss Weldon 241 00:15:00,159 --> 00:15:03,639 had been carried off by the beaming Missus Bardsley, while 242 00:15:03,679 --> 00:15:07,159 Major Pendalas conducted me to a bedroom on the ground floor, 243 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:11,159 in which I found a crackling wood fire. The house 244 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:13,919 was a large one and seemed to be lighted from 245 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:18,519 top to bottom. We three sat down to a big, 246 00:15:18,639 --> 00:15:21,919 round supper table, and as might have been expected, the 247 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:25,960 meal was bountiful, hot, and most grateful and cheery to 248 00:15:26,039 --> 00:15:29,720 the two storm beaten travelers who had eaten nothing since 249 00:15:29,799 --> 00:15:34,720 breakfast except an unattractive luncheon. On the train. Our host 250 00:15:34,759 --> 00:15:37,799 did most of the talking, and we were well content 251 00:15:37,919 --> 00:15:42,440 to let him do it. You cannot imagine he burst 252 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:45,440 out as soon as we were seated, How glad I 253 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:48,879 am to have you two people here. I expected to 254 00:15:48,919 --> 00:15:52,679 spend this Christmas Eve absolutely alone, and I should have 255 00:15:52,759 --> 00:15:56,000 felt that, for I never did anything of the kind before, 256 00:15:56,639 --> 00:15:59,320 and from a boy, I have thought more of Christmas 257 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:02,360 Eve than of Christmas Day. There is less of a 258 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:06,000 strain in it. On Christmas Day, you feel as if 259 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,440 you ought to be awfully jolly, because if you don't, 260 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:12,159 you won't have another chance for a year. On Christmas Eve, 261 00:16:12,279 --> 00:16:15,720 one can be jolly without thinking of it. If there 262 00:16:15,759 --> 00:16:18,679 are any shortcomings, they can be made up next day. 263 00:16:19,639 --> 00:16:22,399 Last year, my niece was with me and we had 264 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,960 plenty of company. But now she is married and cleared 265 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:29,320 out utterly, gone to Europe with her husband and intends 266 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,679 to stay there. But the storm has been good to me. 267 00:16:33,279 --> 00:16:35,360 Let me give you a piece of this chicken, sir, 268 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:40,240 and some butter. This is Christmas butter especially made from 269 00:16:40,279 --> 00:16:44,080 the cream of two cows, both granddaughters of the great 270 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:50,960 cavalier George. The Major's anticipation of a truly jolly Christmas 271 00:16:51,039 --> 00:16:55,000 Eve was interfered with by miss Wildon, who declared shortly 272 00:16:55,039 --> 00:16:57,960 after nine o'clock that she was so fatigued by her 273 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:01,600 day's experiences that she would be obliged to bid us 274 00:17:01,639 --> 00:17:05,519 good night. When she had gone, the Major and I 275 00:17:05,599 --> 00:17:08,880 each lighted a cigar and drew up before the big 276 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:14,680 fire in the parlor. I can't help being disappointed, said he, 277 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:17,559 for I intended to get up a lot of games 278 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,799 and to have missus Barsley and her daughter in. They 279 00:17:20,839 --> 00:17:24,400 are very respectable people, and at Christmas time we always 280 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:27,640 have them in at the games. But bed is the 281 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,319 best place for Miss Weldon after what she has pulled 282 00:17:30,319 --> 00:17:33,759 through this day. And I am so rejoiced to have 283 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:37,079 you both in the house that I shan't grumble. It 284 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:40,200 doesn't matter in the least that when the sun set 285 00:17:40,279 --> 00:17:42,599 to day I had never seen either of you, nor 286 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:46,039 you me. I know who you are, and you know 287 00:17:46,079 --> 00:17:49,880 who I am. At least Miss Weldon knows, and that's enough. 288 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:56,200 But you don't know me, I said, Indeed, I do 289 00:17:56,759 --> 00:18:00,440 he exclaimed, slapping one of his spread out knees and 290 00:18:00,599 --> 00:18:05,440 leaning toward me. I know you in the best kind 291 00:18:05,519 --> 00:18:09,759 of a way. I have one of your pictures. Nah, 292 00:18:10,079 --> 00:18:13,200 don't go and say you are not the artist Henry 293 00:18:13,319 --> 00:18:18,920 g ashmead. I am that man, I replied. I didn't 294 00:18:19,039 --> 00:18:22,200 doubt it, said the Major, leaning back in his chair. 295 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,519 You look like it. I am a bachelors here, and 296 00:18:26,559 --> 00:18:28,759 it takes a good deal to keep that sort of 297 00:18:28,799 --> 00:18:32,599 a man content and easy in his mind. Pictures and 298 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,720 books help a lot in that way, and I make 299 00:18:35,759 --> 00:18:38,799 it a point every year to buy a good picture. 300 00:18:39,759 --> 00:18:42,599 I got one of yours last fall, and I am 301 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:46,000 very fond of looking at it. Come with me and 302 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:50,240 i'll show it to you. The Major then preceded me 303 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:53,160 to a medium sized room in the front of the house, 304 00:18:53,279 --> 00:18:57,559 which he called his reading room. It isn't a study, 305 00:18:57,960 --> 00:19:02,000 said he, for I never study, and it isn't a library, 306 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,400 for it hasn't books enough for that. But it is 307 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:07,839 as good a room to read in as I know, 308 00:19:08,759 --> 00:19:13,519 a fine light and always cool in summer. There is 309 00:19:13,559 --> 00:19:16,759 the picture, and he held up a lamp before one 310 00:19:16,799 --> 00:19:22,240 of my large landscapes. I thought Barnett owned that, I exclaimed, 311 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,920 Yes he did, but he's been hard up lately and 312 00:19:26,039 --> 00:19:29,519 had to sell off part of his collection. I snapped 313 00:19:29,599 --> 00:19:32,400 up that as soon as I saw it, there are 314 00:19:32,559 --> 00:19:36,119 things in that picture that you seldom see in paintings. 315 00:19:36,799 --> 00:19:40,200 That's timothy grass in that meadow, and a cut about 316 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,240 the end of June would make hay worth about twenty 317 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:47,720 dollars a ton. It's ready to cut, now, said he. 318 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,079 And from the looks of the leaves on the trees 319 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:54,200 and the size of those mullein plants, I should say 320 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,799 it was in June that you took it. I made 321 00:19:57,839 --> 00:20:02,319 my studies in June, I replied, Good, he cried, I 322 00:20:02,559 --> 00:20:06,680 knew it. There's no nonsense about that meadow such as 323 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:10,559 you would see in most pictures, no bushes and straggling 324 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:15,160 briars or patches of red clover and orchard grass. I 325 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:18,519 am a straightforward and practical man, and I like a 326 00:20:18,599 --> 00:20:24,119 straightforward and practical picture. Of course, you couldn't help the daisies, 327 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:29,400 and no more can I in my own meadows now, then, 328 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:33,119 said he, when we were again before the fire, you 329 00:20:33,279 --> 00:20:36,440 can see for yourself how I know you, and I 330 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:39,160 can tell you that it delights me to have in 331 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:43,759 my house the man who painted that picture. After a while, 332 00:20:43,839 --> 00:20:46,720 I'll brew a bowl of Regent's punch. But it isn't 333 00:20:46,839 --> 00:20:50,359 late enough for that. We'll have a bachelor night of it. 334 00:20:51,519 --> 00:20:54,880 By next Christmas. I suppose the young lady will put 335 00:20:54,880 --> 00:21:00,039 a veto on bachelor night. Veto, said I, What do 336 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:04,160 you mean? You will surely be married by next Christmas? 337 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:08,920 He replied, married, I exclaimed, with a laugh. We have 338 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:13,119 never thought of being married. The Major took his cigar 339 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:17,119 from his mouth, put his hands upon his knees, leaned forward, 340 00:21:17,319 --> 00:21:20,720 and looked at me. Do you mean to say, sir, 341 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:24,680 that you and miss Welton are not engaged to be married? 342 00:21:25,839 --> 00:21:29,480 Not at all, said I. We have known each other 343 00:21:29,519 --> 00:21:33,720 a long time, but we are friends and nothing more. Well, 344 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:37,960 I'll be hanged, cried Major Pendellus, throwing away his cigar 345 00:21:38,079 --> 00:21:42,160 and rising abruptly from his chair. Then standing with his 346 00:21:42,279 --> 00:21:46,319 back to the fire, he looked down upon me. Now 347 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:51,559 I am disappointed. I surely thought you too were a team, 348 00:21:51,799 --> 00:21:55,400 and a fine one. I had made up my mind 349 00:21:55,519 --> 00:21:59,480 to it, and now I am set back. I feel 350 00:21:59,519 --> 00:22:02,119 as if I were driving a big pursure on and 351 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:07,680 a polo pony. I am a practical common sense man, 352 00:22:07,759 --> 00:22:12,920 and I don't mind asking practical common sense questions. I 353 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:16,359 have done that all my life, and though I have 354 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:19,319 made a good many people mad, it has always been 355 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:22,799 better for me in the end. Now, or do you 356 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,880 mind telling me if that young woman is engaged to 357 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:30,640 somebody else or if you are. Don't get angry if 358 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:34,720 anybody is angry, I ought to be. I was not 359 00:22:34,880 --> 00:22:39,039 in the least offended. There was an impetuous but kindly 360 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:43,720 earnestness about the man which impressed me very agreeably. There 361 00:22:43,759 --> 00:22:47,839 are some people whose liberties are pleasant rather than otherwise. 362 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:53,079 The Major was one of those people. I am not engaged, 363 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:56,160 I said, with a smile. And I have no reason 364 00:22:56,200 --> 00:23:00,480 to believe that she is. Major Pendaalus thrust his hands 365 00:23:00,519 --> 00:23:03,599 into his trouser pockets, strolled to the other end of 366 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:07,640 the large room, and then turning, came back and sat down. 367 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:13,279 I believe, said he that the man who lives alone 368 00:23:13,519 --> 00:23:18,119 does more thinking to the minute than other people. When 369 00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:20,720 she was pouring out the coffee to night and you 370 00:23:20,799 --> 00:23:23,200 were handing your cup to her, and both of you 371 00:23:23,279 --> 00:23:27,119 were laughing about the sugar, I stopped eating and I 372 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,480 said to myself. That is as perfect a match as 373 00:23:30,519 --> 00:23:34,279 I ever saw, and in regard to human beings, it 374 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:38,720 is very seldom that I think that. And now you 375 00:23:39,039 --> 00:23:42,880 turn around and tell me that you and she go single. 376 00:23:44,519 --> 00:23:47,160 I could not help laughing at the serious way in 377 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:52,039 which he discussed the subject. I am sorry to disappoint you, 378 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:56,519 said I, but Miss Wildon and I are not marrying people. 379 00:23:57,160 --> 00:24:03,680 For myself. I cannot afford matrimony. That's what I once thought, 380 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:08,359 he said, And for thirty five years I have regretted 381 00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:12,960 that I was foolish enough to think so. It was 382 00:24:13,039 --> 00:24:16,680 plain that my host was a man of nervous temperament. 383 00:24:17,319 --> 00:24:21,519 He could not sit still while considering this subject, Evidently 384 00:24:21,599 --> 00:24:25,920 of deep interest to him. He now rose, folded his 385 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:29,400 arms and looked at me steadily for fully a minute. 386 00:24:30,279 --> 00:24:32,920 As he gazed at me, his eyes seemed to grow 387 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:38,720 brighter and larger. It was my intention to make a 388 00:24:38,759 --> 00:24:42,039 business proposition to you, founded on what you and Miss 389 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:44,960 Weldon said about this part of the country and how 390 00:24:45,039 --> 00:24:48,880 much you liked it. I considered it one of the 391 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:54,839 happiest thoughts I had ever had. What was it, I asked? 392 00:24:55,079 --> 00:24:58,160 A good deal, amused but careful not to show it. 393 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:00,960 I shall be glad to hear hear it, whether I 394 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:05,759 can accept it or not. All right, said the major, 395 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:11,119 seating himself with decision. You shall have it. I will 396 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:15,119 make the proposition in the common sense, straightforward manner in 397 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:19,480 which I intended to make it. For over ten months 398 00:25:19,559 --> 00:25:22,759 I have been kicking and fuming at being obliged to 399 00:25:22,799 --> 00:25:26,880 live here in this lonely house. Tonight I said to 400 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:31,720 myself over and over again, what would I give if 401 00:25:31,839 --> 00:25:35,319 these two would eat all their meals with me, would 402 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:39,599 come here and live in this house? And then I said, 403 00:25:39,839 --> 00:25:43,960 why shouldn't they? He is a landscape painter, and they 404 00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:46,480 would want to live somewhere in the country and are 405 00:25:46,519 --> 00:25:50,920 not likely to find any place more beautiful than this. Ah. 406 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:54,839 Perhaps that's just what they want and what they're looking for, 407 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:57,839 and the best thing you can do is to make 408 00:25:57,880 --> 00:26:02,200 them the offer without loss of time. While I was 409 00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:05,079 thinking of this, my spirits went up to about a 410 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,720 hundred in the shade. But when you told me you 411 00:26:08,759 --> 00:26:13,079 were not an engaged couple, down they went, I don't 412 00:26:13,079 --> 00:26:19,559 know how far. What did you intend to offer? I asked, offer? 413 00:26:20,079 --> 00:26:24,279 He said, everything I intended to put at your disposal 414 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:27,599 as soon after you married, as you pleased, the handsomest 415 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:31,279 room in the house, second floor front with a beautiful 416 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:35,400 flower garden in summer directly under the side window. I 417 00:26:35,440 --> 00:26:37,880 would have given you the run of this house, reading 418 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,759 room and everything, and made you feel at home. If 419 00:26:41,799 --> 00:26:44,000 the lady is a musician, I would have bought a 420 00:26:44,039 --> 00:26:47,880 new piano. If you were fond of riding or driving, 421 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:51,279 my stables should have been at your service. I have 422 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:54,079 to pay men to exercise the horses, and it would 423 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:56,119 be a favor to me to have you do some 424 00:26:56,200 --> 00:26:59,880 of it. Moreover, I have a carriage house on the 425 00:27:00,039 --> 00:27:02,640 other side of my garden, which I do not use, 426 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:05,279 and I would have fitted it up as a studio 427 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:09,480 for you, with a big north light and all conveniences. 428 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:13,000 Then again, if you would have liked to come here 429 00:27:13,039 --> 00:27:15,880 to spend your honeymoon, I would have vacated the place 430 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:18,920 for a month and let you have it all to yourselves. 431 00:27:19,759 --> 00:27:22,640 For the accommodations I should have offered you, I should 432 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:25,079 have charged you no more than what your living would 433 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:28,720 cost me, certainly not over seven dollars a week each 434 00:27:29,559 --> 00:27:33,079 for the rent of my studio. I should have asked 435 00:27:33,119 --> 00:27:39,480 you one landscape picture every year. I was most cheerfully 436 00:27:39,519 --> 00:27:44,480 impressed by the project thus laid before me. My dear sir, 437 00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:49,640 I exclaimed, you are generous. Indeed, will you make me 438 00:27:49,759 --> 00:27:52,240 the same offer if I bring some other lady? Here 439 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:56,720 is my wife? No, sir, cried the major, striking his 440 00:27:56,839 --> 00:28:01,200 knee with his broad hand. No, sir, I will I 441 00:28:01,319 --> 00:28:04,200 know all about Miss Weldon, and I have formed a 442 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:07,720 great fancy for her. I will run no risks with 443 00:28:07,839 --> 00:28:13,519 outside and unknown women, so saying, he rose abruptly to 444 00:28:13,599 --> 00:28:17,240 his feet, walked to a window, raised a shade, and 445 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:21,559 looked out into the night. I remained gazing into the 446 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:25,720 cheerful fire. The enthusiasm of this man had had a 447 00:28:25,759 --> 00:28:30,160 powerful effect upon me. I was actually thinking what a 448 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:35,519 delightful thing it would be to marry miss Weldon. It 449 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:38,400 was not the first time that this thought had come 450 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:42,519 into my mind, but it had always been promptly expelled. 451 00:28:43,319 --> 00:28:47,079 As I told my host, I was not a marrying man. 452 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:51,799 At least I considered that my financial circumstances gave me 453 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:55,720 no right to be one. But now the state of 454 00:28:55,759 --> 00:29:00,759 affairs seemed to be entirely changed. So far as pecuniary 455 00:29:00,839 --> 00:29:04,400 considerations were concerned. There was no reason why I should 456 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:08,160 not be married tomorrow, and the perception of this fact 457 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:12,440 set me in a glow. The Major now returned to 458 00:29:12,519 --> 00:29:17,559 the fire. Hello, he cried, your face looks as if 459 00:29:17,599 --> 00:29:22,240 you were getting converted. It may be that I am. 460 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:28,160 I said, you are a powerful preacher. He stepped quickly 461 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:31,920 towards me and clapped his hand upon my shoulder. Nah, 462 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:35,920 he said, you are in the right road. Don't hesitate, 463 00:29:36,160 --> 00:29:38,960 don't look to the right or the left, don't stop 464 00:29:39,039 --> 00:29:43,319 to consider, don't reason, but go straight ahead and ask 465 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:47,079 that young woman to be your wife. The fact that 466 00:29:47,119 --> 00:29:50,480 you are beginning to feel converted shows that you want her, 467 00:29:51,119 --> 00:29:54,039 And indeed I should have a very small opinion of 468 00:29:54,079 --> 00:29:57,920 you if you didn't want her, ask her to morrow morning. 469 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:01,359 Ask her here, in this this house, before you go 470 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:04,000 into that crowd of dollivers, where you will have no 471 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:07,400 chance at all. I'll see to it that you have 472 00:30:07,599 --> 00:30:13,559 every chance. Here, Major said, I rising, I have the 473 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:16,960 greatest mind in the world to do it. You have 474 00:30:17,079 --> 00:30:20,680 put before me opportunities which I did not suppose to exist. 475 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:24,200 You have stirred up feelings in me that I thought 476 00:30:24,279 --> 00:30:28,480 were long ago conquered, and quieted you have now, my 477 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:33,759 dear boy, interrupted the Major. Don't say another word. Go 478 00:30:33,839 --> 00:30:37,039 to your room while you are in this mind, go 479 00:30:37,160 --> 00:30:41,319 to bed and go to sleep. Don't consider this or 480 00:30:41,359 --> 00:30:45,119 that or any other thing. Keep your mind on the 481 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,359 one fact that you are going to propose to Miss 482 00:30:48,440 --> 00:30:52,319 Weldon in the morning. Above all, don't think about me. 483 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:57,279 Don't imagine that perhaps I'm not going to suit your fancies. 484 00:30:58,039 --> 00:31:01,160 I will give you my word, said. If I don't suit, 485 00:31:01,319 --> 00:31:05,400 or can't make myself suit, I'll clear out. I'll take 486 00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:10,160 the risk of all that very good, said I. I'll 487 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:13,240 go to my room, for it is past country bedtime, 488 00:31:13,839 --> 00:31:16,119 and I'll keep my mind on the subject you have 489 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:19,759 brought up before me. But what of that regent's punch 490 00:31:19,839 --> 00:31:22,839 you are going to brew? Not a drop, sir, Not 491 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:27,119 a drop, exclaimed the Major. When men want cheering up 492 00:31:27,160 --> 00:31:30,000 and have nothing to do afterward, a glass of punch 493 00:31:30,039 --> 00:31:32,839 on a winter night is a very good thing. But 494 00:31:33,079 --> 00:31:37,480 in a case like this we want clear heads. Anybody 495 00:31:37,599 --> 00:31:41,400 can determine to marry almost anybody if he drinks enough punch. 496 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:44,759 When I set out to drive a pair of horses 497 00:31:44,799 --> 00:31:47,359 in a storm or on a cold chilly night, I 498 00:31:47,519 --> 00:31:51,000 never touch a drop of spirits, no matter how much 499 00:31:51,079 --> 00:31:53,880 I feel that I need warming up. At such times 500 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:58,000 I want to be sharpened, not comforted. But when I 501 00:31:58,119 --> 00:32:02,240 get safely home, I myself a glass of something hot. 502 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:06,599 Making up your mind at this time is much more 503 00:32:06,680 --> 00:32:10,119 important than driving any sort of horses in any kind 504 00:32:10,160 --> 00:32:14,440 of weather. The punch can wait until tomorrow, and if 505 00:32:14,519 --> 00:32:18,400 things turn out all right, I'll brew something out of 506 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:23,359 the common I assure you. In my bedroom that night, 507 00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:27,319 I gave no time to deliberation before I bade the 508 00:32:27,359 --> 00:32:29,920 Major good night. I had made up my mind to 509 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:36,359 propose to Miss Weldon. I was downstairs before breakfast the 510 00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:39,359 next morning, and I met the Major just coming in 511 00:32:39,400 --> 00:32:44,000 from a visit to his stables. Merry Christmas, he cried, 512 00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:49,319 And isn't this a glorious day, some bright and sky clear? 513 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:53,440 But the snow is about a foot deep on the level, 514 00:32:53,599 --> 00:32:56,880 and nobody knows how deep in the drifts. I have 515 00:32:56,960 --> 00:33:00,839 a Canadian in my employment who walks on snows, and 516 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:03,440 I have sent him across the country to the Dollarvers 517 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:05,480 to tell them where you are and let them know 518 00:33:05,559 --> 00:33:07,680 that you'll be there in the course of the afternoon. 519 00:33:08,559 --> 00:33:10,799 I'll send out some men with a double team of 520 00:33:10,839 --> 00:33:14,960 oxen and a snowplow to break the road, and after luncheon, 521 00:33:15,079 --> 00:33:20,640 i'll drive you over myself. In the meantime, how are 522 00:33:20,680 --> 00:33:25,079 you going to spend the morning, Sir, I laughed as 523 00:33:25,119 --> 00:33:29,200 I gazed into his earnest countenance. I am going to 524 00:33:29,319 --> 00:33:32,799 try to break a road into the region of matrimony, 525 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:38,000 I replied. The Major's face shone like the morning sun. 526 00:33:38,880 --> 00:33:43,319 Your sound is a dollar, he exclaimed. After breakfast, you 527 00:33:43,480 --> 00:33:46,720 too shall have this house to yourselves. I'll carry off 528 00:33:46,759 --> 00:33:49,200 missus Bardsley and the rest of them to the Christmas 529 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:52,640 present business in the big barn. I suppose you can 530 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:57,240 get through in an hour? Oh yes, I answered, probably 531 00:33:57,279 --> 00:34:02,599 in less. Time was now called off, and I strolled 532 00:34:02,599 --> 00:34:05,160 into the reading room to look again at my picture. 533 00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:09,280 The room was full of the morning light, and as 534 00:34:09,320 --> 00:34:11,880 I turned to the wall on which my landscape hung, 535 00:34:12,440 --> 00:34:17,239 I stood with eyes and mouth open. The paper on 536 00:34:17,400 --> 00:34:23,039 the wall was one designed by Clara Weldon. I remembered 537 00:34:23,079 --> 00:34:26,079 when she was working on it in her studio. There 538 00:34:26,159 --> 00:34:29,159 was a tendril running through it, which I had suggested. 539 00:34:30,199 --> 00:34:33,599 I clapped my hands and felt like bursting out with 540 00:34:33,679 --> 00:34:38,599 a shout of pure enjoyment, but I restrained myself. The 541 00:34:38,639 --> 00:34:42,119 breakfast bell rang, and as I went out, I closed 542 00:34:42,119 --> 00:34:47,840 the door behind me. Miss Weldon came down, refreshed and lovely, 543 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:53,400 and as we exchanged Christmas salutations, I almost felt guilty 544 00:34:53,559 --> 00:34:56,360 in thinking of the conspiracy which we two men had 545 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,239 hatched up against her, but I did not in the 546 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:04,559 least from my purpose. It was about an hour afterward, 547 00:35:04,760 --> 00:35:07,639 when Miss Wildon and I were sitting before a blazing 548 00:35:07,679 --> 00:35:11,239 fire in the parlor, that I declared my love for her, 549 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:14,880 that I asked her to be my wife. And in 550 00:35:14,960 --> 00:35:18,679 the ardor which increased as I spoke, I told her 551 00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:23,760 everything I laid before her, the whole glowing picture which 552 00:35:23,840 --> 00:35:29,679 Major Pendalas had painted for me. When I began to speak, 553 00:35:29,840 --> 00:35:32,679 she looked at me in a quizzical way, as if 554 00:35:32,679 --> 00:35:36,400 she were amused at the sudden outcropping of my passion. 555 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:41,360 But afterwards she began to listen with interest, as if 556 00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:44,639 it were due to me to give serious consideration to 557 00:35:44,719 --> 00:35:48,519 a matter which I urged so warmly, odd as it 558 00:35:48,639 --> 00:35:51,679 might be that I happened to be urging it just then. 559 00:35:52,599 --> 00:35:55,079 But when I told her what the Major had been 560 00:35:55,119 --> 00:36:00,880 talking about her, face flushed with indignation. It is a shame, 561 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:05,000 she exclaimed, that that man should discuss me in such 562 00:36:05,000 --> 00:36:07,920 a way. What right has he to meddle with my 563 00:36:08,039 --> 00:36:11,800 affairs or give advice concerning me? If I can do it, 564 00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:16,760 I will leave this house this instant. You cannot do it, 565 00:36:17,199 --> 00:36:20,760 I said, and I beg you will restrain your anger 566 00:36:21,119 --> 00:36:25,760 until I explain the case. Major Pendalus takes a great 567 00:36:25,840 --> 00:36:29,480 interest in me on account of my work. You remember 568 00:36:29,519 --> 00:36:33,159 what he said at breakfast about my picture he has taken. 569 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:37,039 I don't care anything about his interest in you, she interrupted, 570 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:40,960 I am thinking about myself. He has no right to 571 00:36:41,039 --> 00:36:45,079 take any interest in me, to discuss me. It is 572 00:36:45,119 --> 00:36:49,119 the most unwarrantable thing, the most Please do not say 573 00:36:49,159 --> 00:36:53,440 anything more against him, I implored. I first want you 574 00:36:53,519 --> 00:36:56,079 to look at my picture. It is one of the 575 00:36:56,119 --> 00:36:58,800 few you have not seen. I don't want to see 576 00:36:58,840 --> 00:37:03,480 anything he owns, she said sharply. But I beg of 577 00:37:03,519 --> 00:37:06,760 you to come and look at this because I painted it. 578 00:37:07,679 --> 00:37:10,480 You may never have another chance, and I very much 579 00:37:10,559 --> 00:37:14,679 want you to see it. She had a kind heart, 580 00:37:15,239 --> 00:37:18,400 and angry as she was, she accompanied me to the 581 00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:23,239 reading room. As we stood before the picture. Her eyes 582 00:37:23,400 --> 00:37:27,639 wandered away from it and over the wall. Then she 583 00:37:27,920 --> 00:37:31,000 turned and looked at me, and I looked at her, 584 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:38,519 but said nothing. Do you suppose, she asked, presently, that 585 00:37:38,679 --> 00:37:43,519 he knew I designed this paper. I am positive he 586 00:37:43,559 --> 00:37:47,119 does not, I replied, for if he had known it, 587 00:37:47,199 --> 00:37:50,679 he would certainly have mentioned it to me. And beside, 588 00:37:51,000 --> 00:37:55,039 it is almost impossible that he should know it. It 589 00:37:55,159 --> 00:38:00,440 is wonderful, she said, in a softer tone. What do 590 00:38:00,480 --> 00:38:06,840 you make of it? I make this, I replied. The 591 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:10,960 soul of that man is in sympathy with yours and 592 00:38:11,239 --> 00:38:16,119 with mine. The things we do touch his tastes and 593 00:38:16,199 --> 00:38:21,320 his sensibilities. He covers his wall with your paper, and 594 00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:25,280 he hangs my picture upon it. He does not know 595 00:38:25,599 --> 00:38:29,559 either of us, but his soul is in sympathy with us. 596 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:33,559 I think you can hardly say that he has no 597 00:38:33,760 --> 00:38:38,039 right to take an interest in you. She looked at 598 00:38:38,079 --> 00:38:42,599 me and smiled. That is all very pretty, she said, 599 00:38:43,199 --> 00:38:50,559 but rather sentimental. Not a bit too much, so, I exclaimed, Clara, 600 00:38:50,599 --> 00:38:54,400 I think you cannot any longer be angry with our host, 601 00:38:54,760 --> 00:38:58,440 And having set him aside, will you not consider me 602 00:38:59,639 --> 00:39:04,320 and consent to be a background to your work, she asked. 603 00:39:05,199 --> 00:39:08,679 There was a bright sparkle in her eye, which made 604 00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:15,679 me feel justified in gently closing the door. When Major 605 00:39:15,760 --> 00:39:19,800 Pendallus returned from the big Barn, where, according to his custom, 606 00:39:19,920 --> 00:39:22,679 he had been making Christmas presents to all his people, 607 00:39:23,079 --> 00:39:27,000 he found Clara and me in the parlor. He approached 608 00:39:27,119 --> 00:39:30,719 us in a somewhat hesitating way, and as I looked 609 00:39:30,760 --> 00:39:33,639 around at him, I could see an expression on his 610 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:36,519 countenance which looked like a fear that he had come 611 00:39:36,599 --> 00:39:39,239 back before I had gotten through with the business of 612 00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:43,360 the morning, or perhaps before I had begun it. But 613 00:39:43,480 --> 00:39:46,800 as we both rose to meet him, eyes still holding 614 00:39:46,840 --> 00:39:51,840 Clara's hand, all doubt vanished from his handsome, honest, wether 615 00:39:51,920 --> 00:39:56,159 brown face. I know it, he cried, as he looked 616 00:39:56,159 --> 00:39:58,280 from one to the other of his I know it. 617 00:39:58,920 --> 00:40:02,199 You needn't tell me anything, and he stretched out a 618 00:40:02,280 --> 00:40:06,440 hand to each of us. This is a glorious Christmas, 619 00:40:06,760 --> 00:40:11,800 he said, a glorious Christmas. It was plain. He wanted 620 00:40:11,840 --> 00:40:14,760 to say a good deal but could not find words, 621 00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:20,280 But Clara allowed no embarrassing silence. I have been very 622 00:40:20,400 --> 00:40:24,199 angry with you, Major, she said, with the kindest of 623 00:40:24,320 --> 00:40:28,800 smiles upon her still slightly flushed face. He looked at 624 00:40:28,800 --> 00:40:33,000 her inquiringly. It was because you were making all sorts 625 00:40:33,039 --> 00:40:37,559 of arrangements for me without my knowing a word about them. Oh, 626 00:40:37,679 --> 00:40:41,599 that was because he didn't understand about the wallpaper, I said. 627 00:40:42,519 --> 00:40:47,480 If he had known about that, about what, exclaimed Major Pendlus. 628 00:40:48,559 --> 00:40:51,039 We two laughed, and then we took him into the 629 00:40:51,119 --> 00:40:55,079 reading room. When all was explained to him, he exclaimed, 630 00:40:56,159 --> 00:41:00,519 my world. And then, with his hands thrust deep into 631 00:41:00,519 --> 00:41:03,840 the pockets of his short coat, he turned about and 632 00:41:03,920 --> 00:41:09,199 deliberately gazed upon the four walls of the room. Truly, 633 00:41:09,880 --> 00:41:14,320 he cried, I can't take it in to think that 634 00:41:14,400 --> 00:41:17,320 the two years I have been sitting in this room, 635 00:41:17,519 --> 00:41:23,920 surrounded by these warm, bright, delicate colors, these flowers of spring, 636 00:41:24,360 --> 00:41:30,119 these soft leaves, and these graceful spirals, this general impression 637 00:41:30,239 --> 00:41:34,639 of blossomy air, and then to think that you did it. 638 00:41:35,360 --> 00:41:40,000 I can't comprehend it. Why, I'll tell you, madam. When 639 00:41:40,039 --> 00:41:42,760 I went with my niece to a great city store 640 00:41:42,800 --> 00:41:46,440 where they had thousands of patterns of wallpaper, I've picked 641 00:41:46,480 --> 00:41:50,239 out this one in ten minutes, and although there were 642 00:41:50,280 --> 00:41:53,800 a half dozen others. She fancied, I would have none 643 00:41:53,880 --> 00:41:57,800 but this for my reading room. It is the flowers 644 00:41:57,840 --> 00:42:01,239 and air of spring, I said, and I want to 645 00:42:01,239 --> 00:42:06,159 have it always around me. I thought. I liked you, madam, 646 00:42:06,199 --> 00:42:08,320 on account of what I had heard of you, and 647 00:42:08,440 --> 00:42:12,360 because of looking at you and listening to you. Bah, 648 00:42:12,719 --> 00:42:18,559 that wasn't all. No, that wasn't all. There was a 649 00:42:18,559 --> 00:42:21,440 moisture in Clara's eyes as she held out her hand 650 00:42:21,480 --> 00:42:26,400 to him. It is most marvelous and most charming, I said, 651 00:42:27,159 --> 00:42:29,840 And I can see only one objection to the state 652 00:42:29,880 --> 00:42:33,400 of affairs. The picture should have been Clara's in the 653 00:42:33,440 --> 00:42:37,800 background mine, not a bit of it, exclaimed the major. 654 00:42:38,480 --> 00:42:41,559 The picture can be taken down, it can be stolen, 655 00:42:42,079 --> 00:42:45,039 Lots of things can happen to it, and it occupies 656 00:42:45,079 --> 00:42:49,880 only a little space. After all, but that beautiful wall 657 00:42:50,079 --> 00:42:53,400 is there, and it is here and all around us, 658 00:42:53,719 --> 00:42:58,239 and here it will stay. It will last out my lifetime, 659 00:42:58,960 --> 00:43:02,159 and if any accidents happened to it, I've got a 660 00:43:02,159 --> 00:43:07,320 lot more of it. Upstairs. A servant now entered with 661 00:43:07,400 --> 00:43:10,000 a letter which had been brought over from the dollivers 662 00:43:10,039 --> 00:43:13,639 by the man in snow shoes. It was written to Clara, 663 00:43:13,840 --> 00:43:17,199 and she read it to us. Our friends were evidently 664 00:43:17,239 --> 00:43:19,960 overjoyed that we had not remained in the city as 665 00:43:20,000 --> 00:43:23,239 they had supposed, and that we would soon be with them. 666 00:43:23,559 --> 00:43:26,760 They insisted that Major Pendellas should come over with us 667 00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:29,960 and spend the night. They had a large party of 668 00:43:30,000 --> 00:43:32,400 friends at the house and were having a jolly time. 669 00:43:33,400 --> 00:43:37,760 Oh I'll go, said the Major. I intended to go anyway. 670 00:43:38,320 --> 00:43:41,400 But as to jolly times, the times they are having 671 00:43:41,440 --> 00:43:44,000 there are no more to compare with what we are 672 00:43:44,000 --> 00:43:47,119 having here than an ashman's donkey is fit to run 673 00:43:47,119 --> 00:43:50,960 a three mile heat with my coat sapling. But will 674 00:43:51,199 --> 00:43:54,400 help to make them jolly. I'll take over the big 675 00:43:54,480 --> 00:43:57,400 silver punch bowl that I won four years ago and 676 00:43:57,480 --> 00:43:59,840 have not used yet, for I have never had people 677 00:43:59,880 --> 00:44:03,800 in enough here to make it worthwhile. We'll christen the 678 00:44:03,880 --> 00:44:07,360 bowl on this happy day, and you, madam, shall have 679 00:44:07,440 --> 00:44:12,079 the first glass out of it. And now continued the host, 680 00:44:12,239 --> 00:44:15,320 looking from the one to the other. Before we do 681 00:44:15,480 --> 00:44:18,800 any more, or say any more, or think of anything else, 682 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:22,800 I want you to tell me this. Are you too 683 00:44:22,840 --> 00:44:26,280 going to accept my proposition and coming to live with me? 684 00:44:27,320 --> 00:44:30,519 I don't say anything about winter time, because that may 685 00:44:30,559 --> 00:44:33,760 be asking too much, but in the time of the 686 00:44:33,840 --> 00:44:36,559 year you would want to live in the country anyway, 687 00:44:38,079 --> 00:44:42,480 my dear Major said Clara. We have been talking about 688 00:44:42,519 --> 00:44:46,320 your proposition, and I don't see how we can help 689 00:44:46,480 --> 00:44:53,159 accepting it. Good, cried the Major. Good better best. I 690 00:44:53,320 --> 00:44:56,760 remarked before that this is a glorious Christmas, and I 691 00:44:57,000 --> 00:45:01,159 repeat the statement. Look you, the sun is beaming out 692 00:45:01,159 --> 00:45:04,280 of doors almost as brightly as we are beaming in here. 693 00:45:05,000 --> 00:45:08,039 There is a broad path cut to the stables, and 694 00:45:08,119 --> 00:45:10,199 I want to show you a Sorrel mare with the 695 00:45:10,239 --> 00:45:14,400 most beautiful tail and mane you ever saw. I am 696 00:45:14,440 --> 00:45:17,039 going to have her put into training to carry a lady, 697 00:45:17,519 --> 00:45:20,079 and she is to be at your service, madam, whenever 698 00:45:20,159 --> 00:45:23,239 you want her. And as for you, sir, there are 699 00:45:23,280 --> 00:45:27,440 my stables. And if a beautiful country and fine horses 700 00:45:27,519 --> 00:45:30,159 helped to make people happy, I think you will have 701 00:45:30,239 --> 00:45:35,000 no fault to find. Early in the afternoon, the Major 702 00:45:35,119 --> 00:45:37,599 drove us over to the Dollivers behind a pair of 703 00:45:37,800 --> 00:45:42,960 magnificent Cleveland bays. The grand action and spirits of the 704 00:45:43,039 --> 00:45:46,320 powerful animals, fired by the delight of being out of 705 00:45:46,400 --> 00:45:50,679 doors on this sparkling winter day, would have made Clara tremble, 706 00:45:50,840 --> 00:45:55,280 she said, under ordinary circumstances, but with the Major holding 707 00:45:55,360 --> 00:45:57,840 the reins, she felt as safe as if she were 708 00:45:57,920 --> 00:46:01,000 dashing through the white caps with an old cape cod 709 00:46:01,119 --> 00:46:06,519 skipper at the tiller. That was a grand old Christmas 710 00:46:06,639 --> 00:46:10,519 night at the Doliver House. Our hostess, who was soon 711 00:46:10,639 --> 00:46:13,719 informed of what had happened in the morning, urged that 712 00:46:13,800 --> 00:46:17,280 our engagement should be made known. And when the punch 713 00:46:17,360 --> 00:46:20,840 bowl was christened, and the first cupful of the Major's 714 00:46:20,840 --> 00:46:24,639 wonderful brew was presented by him to Clara, there was 715 00:46:24,679 --> 00:46:29,599 an outburst of congratulation which deeply stirred the hearts of 716 00:46:29,760 --> 00:46:35,400 three of us. And now said Major Pendalus, let us 717 00:46:35,480 --> 00:46:39,280 drink the health of the blessed storm of Christmas Eve, 718 00:46:39,639 --> 00:46:48,000 eighteen hundred and eighty. And we drank it. End of 719 00:46:48,199 --> 00:46:52,519 Major Pendalus, A Christmas story by Frank R. Stockton,