1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket by Lucy Maud Montgomery. When Lucy 2 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:12,560 Rose met Aunt Cyrilia coming downstairs, somewhat flushed and breathless 3 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:15,679 from her ascent to the garret, with a big, flat 4 00:00:15,759 --> 00:00:19,440 covered basket hanging over her plump arm, she gave a 5 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,480 little sigh of despair. Lucy Rose had done her brave 6 00:00:23,679 --> 00:00:26,879 best for some years, in fact, ever since, she had 7 00:00:26,879 --> 00:00:29,800 put up her hair and lengthened her skirts to break 8 00:00:29,839 --> 00:00:32,920 Aunt Cyrilia of the habit of carrying that basket with 9 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,920 her every time she went to Pembroke. But Aunt Cyrilia 10 00:00:37,119 --> 00:00:40,119 still insisted on taking it and only laughed at what 11 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:46,439 she called Lucy Rose's finicky notions. Lucy Rose had a horrible, 12 00:00:46,759 --> 00:00:50,719 haunting idea that it was extremely provincial for her aunt 13 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:54,479 always to take that big basket packed full of country 14 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:57,960 good things whenever she went to visit Edward and Geraldine. 15 00:00:58,799 --> 00:01:02,759 Geraldine was so stylish and might think it queer. And 16 00:01:02,799 --> 00:01:05,680 then Aunt Cyrilia always would carry it on her arm 17 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:09,200 and give cookies and apples and molasses taffy out of 18 00:01:09,239 --> 00:01:12,840 it to every child she encountered, and just as often 19 00:01:12,879 --> 00:01:17,519 as not to older folks too. Lucy Rose, when she 20 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:20,760 went to town with Aunt Syrilia, felt chagrined over this, 21 00:01:21,799 --> 00:01:25,200 all of which goes to prove that Lucy was as 22 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,280 yet very young and had a great deal to learn 23 00:01:28,359 --> 00:01:33,719 in this world. That troublesome worry over what Geraldine would 24 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:38,439 think nerved her to make a protest in this instance. Now, 25 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,879 Aunt Cyrilia, she pleaded, you're surely not going to take 26 00:01:41,879 --> 00:01:45,959 that funny old basket to Pembrook this time Christmas Day? 27 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:50,480 And all indeed, indeed I am, returned Aunt Celia briskly 28 00:01:50,519 --> 00:01:52,280 as she put it on the table and proceeded to 29 00:01:52,359 --> 00:01:55,040 dust it out. I never went to see Edward and 30 00:01:55,079 --> 00:01:57,840 Geraldine since they were married, that I didn't take a 31 00:01:57,879 --> 00:02:00,799 basket of good things along with me for them, And 32 00:02:00,959 --> 00:02:04,799 I'm not going to stop now. As for it's being Christmas, 33 00:02:05,079 --> 00:02:09,120 all the more reason. Edward is as always real glad 34 00:02:09,159 --> 00:02:11,919 to get some of the old farmhouse goodies. He says, 35 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,360 they beat city cooking all hollow, and so they do. 36 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:22,680 But it's so countrified, moaned Lucy Rose. Well I am countrified, 37 00:02:22,879 --> 00:02:26,759 said Aunt Sylia firmly, and so are you. And what's more, 38 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,199 I don't see that it's anything to be ashamed of. 39 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,759 You've got some real silly pride about you, Lucy Rose. 40 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:35,719 You'll grow out of it in time, but just now 41 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:38,520 it is giving you a lot of trouble. A basket 42 00:02:38,599 --> 00:02:42,639 is a lot of trouble, said Lucy Rose crossly. You're 43 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:45,800 always mislaying it, or afraid you will. And it does 44 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,120 look so funny to be walking through the streets that 45 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:53,240 big bulgy basket hanging on your arm. I'm not a 46 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:57,800 mite worried about its looks, returned Aunt Sylia calmly. As 47 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:01,199 for its being a trouble, why maybe it is, But 48 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:04,400 I have that and other people have the pleasure of it. 49 00:03:05,319 --> 00:03:09,199 Edward and Geraldine don't need it. I know that, but 50 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,319 there may be those that will. And if it hurts 51 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,439 your feelings to walk alongside of a countryfied old lady 52 00:03:15,479 --> 00:03:18,599 with a countryfied basket, while you can just fall behind, 53 00:03:18,719 --> 00:03:22,400 as it were, Aunt s Cyrilia nodded and smiled good humoredly, 54 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,879 and Lucy Rose, though she privately held to her own opinion, 55 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:31,159 had to smile too. Now let me see, said Aunt 56 00:03:31,159 --> 00:03:34,680 s Cyrilia, reflectively, tapping the snowy kitchen table with the 57 00:03:34,759 --> 00:03:38,960 point of her plum dimpled forefinger. What shall I take? 58 00:03:40,439 --> 00:03:44,479 That big fruitcake for one thing? Edward does like my fruitcake, 59 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:49,159 and that cold boiled tongue for another. Those three mince 60 00:03:49,199 --> 00:03:52,560 pies too, they'd spoiled before we got back. Or your 61 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:56,199 uncle make himself sick eating them. Mince pie is his 62 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:01,439 besetting sin. And that little stone bottle full of cream. 63 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,800 Gerald Deane may carry any amount of style, but I've 64 00:04:05,879 --> 00:04:08,639 yet to see her look down on real good country 65 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:13,479 cream lucy rose, and another bottle of my raspberry vinegar. 66 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:16,519 That plate of jelly cookies and doughnuts will please the 67 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:19,199 children and fill up the chinks. And you can bring 68 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,120 me that box of ice cream candy out of those pantry, 69 00:04:22,439 --> 00:04:25,000 and that bag of striped candy sticks your uncle brought 70 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,360 home from the corner last night. And apples, of course, 71 00:04:28,399 --> 00:04:31,759 three or four dozen of those good eaters, and a 72 00:04:31,879 --> 00:04:35,639 little pot of my green gage preserves ed riddle like that, 73 00:04:36,519 --> 00:04:40,519 and some sandwiches and pound cake for a snack for ourselves. Now, 74 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:43,839 I guess that will do for eatables. The presents for 75 00:04:43,879 --> 00:04:46,439 the children can go in on top. There's a doll 76 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,399 for Daisy and a little boat your uncle made for ray, 77 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:53,240 and a tatted lace handkerchief apiece for the twins, and 78 00:04:53,319 --> 00:04:57,120 the crocheted hood for the baby. Now is that all? 79 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,480 There's cold roast chicken in the pantry, said Lucy Rose wickedly, 80 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:03,959 And the pig Uncle Leo killed is hanging up in 81 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:08,759 the porch. Couldn't you put them into? Aunt Celia smiled broadly. Well, 82 00:05:09,199 --> 00:05:11,600 I guess we'll leave the pig alone, but since you 83 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:13,920 have reminded me of it, the chicken may as well 84 00:05:13,959 --> 00:05:17,920 go in. I can make room. Lucy Rose, in spite 85 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:21,759 of her prejudices, helped with the packaging, and not having 86 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:25,160 been trained under Aunt's Cyrilia's eye for nothing, did it 87 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:29,800 very well too, with much clever economy of space. But 88 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,120 when Aunt Cyrilia had put in, as a finishing touch, 89 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:37,399 a big bouquet of pink and white everlastings and tied 90 00:05:37,439 --> 00:05:41,319 the bulging covers down with a firm hand, Lucy Rose 91 00:05:41,399 --> 00:05:46,519 stood over the basket and whispered vindictively, someday I'm going 92 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:49,920 to burn this basket. When I get courage enough, then 93 00:05:49,959 --> 00:05:52,199 there'll be an end of lugging it everywhere we go, 94 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:56,759 like a like an old market woman. Uncle Leopold came 95 00:05:56,800 --> 00:06:00,920 in just then, shaking his head dubiously. He was not 96 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,079 going to spend Christmas with Edward and Geraldine, and perhaps 97 00:06:04,079 --> 00:06:06,480 the prospect of having to cook and eat his Christmas 98 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:12,240 dinner all alone made him pessimistic. I mistrust you folks 99 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,680 won't get to Pembroke tomorrow, he said, sagely. It's going 100 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:20,639 to storm. Aunt Syrilia did not worry over this. She 101 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:24,160 believed matters of this kind were fore ordained, and she 102 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:28,360 slept calmly. But Lucy Rose got up three times in 103 00:06:28,399 --> 00:06:30,879 the night to see if it were storming, and when 104 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:35,920 she did sleep, had horrible nightmares of struggling through blinding snowstorms, 105 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:40,639 dragging Aunt Syrilia's Christmas basket along with her. It was 106 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:44,000 not snowing in the early morning, and Uncle Leopold drove 107 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,240 Aunt Srilia and Lucy Rose and the basket to the 108 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:51,720 station four miles off. When they reached there, the air 109 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:55,920 was thick with flying flakes. The station master sold them 110 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:59,800 their tickets with a grim face. If there's any more snow, 111 00:07:00,399 --> 00:07:03,240 the trains might as well keep Christmas too, he said. 112 00:07:03,879 --> 00:07:06,959 There's been so much snow already that traffic is blocked. 113 00:07:06,959 --> 00:07:09,720 Half the time, and now there ain't no place to 114 00:07:09,759 --> 00:07:13,879 shovel the snow off onto. Aunt Syrilia said that if 115 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,360 the train were to get to Pembroke in time for Christmas, 116 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,199 it would get there. And she opened her basket and 117 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,519 gave the station master and three small boys an apple apiece. 118 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:29,120 That's the beginning, groaned Lucy rose to herself. When their 119 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:33,120 train came along, Aunt Syrilia established herself in one seat, 120 00:07:33,279 --> 00:07:36,920 at her basket in another, and looked beamingly around her 121 00:07:36,959 --> 00:07:41,720 at her fellow travelers. These were few in number, and 122 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:43,959 a delicate little woman at the end of the car 123 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:47,160 with a baby and four other children, a young girl 124 00:07:47,199 --> 00:07:50,920 across the aisle with a pale pretty face, a sunburned 125 00:07:50,959 --> 00:07:55,240 lad three seats ahead in a khaki uniform, a very handsome, 126 00:07:55,399 --> 00:07:58,480 imposing old lady in a seal skin coat ahead of him, 127 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:03,879 and a thin young man with spectacles opposite. A minister, 128 00:08:04,279 --> 00:08:07,839 reflected Aunt Cyrilia, beginning to classify who takes better care 129 00:08:07,879 --> 00:08:11,040 of other folk's souls than of his own body? And 130 00:08:11,079 --> 00:08:14,680 that woman in the seal skin is discontented and cross 131 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:18,560 at something got up too early to catch the train maybe, 132 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,759 and that young chap must be one of the boys 133 00:08:21,839 --> 00:08:26,240 not long out of the hospital. That woman's children look 134 00:08:26,319 --> 00:08:28,879 as if they hadn't enjoyed a square meal since they 135 00:08:28,879 --> 00:08:33,159 were born. And if that girl across from me has 136 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,600 a mother, I'd like to know what the woman means 137 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:37,720 letting her daughter go from home in this weather and 138 00:08:37,759 --> 00:08:42,519 clothes like that. Lucy Rose merely wondered, uncomfortably what the 139 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:47,799 others thought of on Cyrilia's basket. They expected to reach 140 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,919 Pembroke that night, but as the day wore on, the 141 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:54,679 storm grew worse. Twice the train had to stop while 142 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:57,799 the train hands dug it out. The third time it 143 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:01,399 could not go on. It was dusk when the conductor 144 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,960 came through the train, replying brusquely to the questions of 145 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:11,000 the anxious passengers, A nice lookout for Christmas. No impossible 146 00:09:11,039 --> 00:09:16,480 to go on or back track blocked for miles? What's that, madame? 147 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:21,720 No no station near woods for miles. We're here for 148 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,600 the night. These storms of late have played the mischief 149 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:31,279 with everything, Oh dear, groaned Lucy Rose. Aunt Syrilia looked 150 00:09:31,279 --> 00:09:35,080 at her basket complacently. At any rate, we won't starve, 151 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:41,159 she said. The pale, pretty girl seemed indifferent. The seal 152 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:45,159 skin lady looked crosser than ever. The Khaki boy said, 153 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:50,360 just my luck, and two of the children began to cry. 154 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:54,639 Aunt Cyrilia took some apples and striped candy sticks from 155 00:09:54,639 --> 00:09:58,039 her basket and carried them to them. She lifted the 156 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,399 oldest into her ample lap and soon had them all 157 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:06,159 around her, laughing and contented. The rest of the travelers 158 00:10:06,159 --> 00:10:10,120 straggled over to the corner and drifted into conversation. The 159 00:10:10,159 --> 00:10:12,440 Khaki boy said it was hard lines not to get 160 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:16,080 home for Christmas, after all, I was invalided from South 161 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:18,960 Africa three months ago and I've been in the hospital 162 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,759 at Netley ever since. Reached Halifax three days ago and 163 00:10:22,879 --> 00:10:25,600 telegraphed the old folks I'd eat my Christmas dinner with them, 164 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:28,279 and to have an extra big turkey because I didn't 165 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:32,759 have any last year. They'll be badly disappointed. He looked 166 00:10:32,799 --> 00:10:37,480 disappointed too. One khaki sleeve hung empty by his side. 167 00:10:38,279 --> 00:10:42,480 I Srilia passed him in apple. We were all going 168 00:10:42,519 --> 00:10:46,320 down to Grandpas for Christmas, said the little mother's oldest boy, dolefully. 169 00:10:46,799 --> 00:10:49,559 We've never been there before, and it's just too bad. 170 00:10:50,759 --> 00:10:53,559 He looked as if he wanted to cry, but thought 171 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:55,799 better of it and bit off a mouthful of candy. 172 00:10:57,279 --> 00:11:00,000 Will there be any Santa Claus on the train, demanded 173 00:11:00,399 --> 00:11:04,720 small sister. Cheerfully, Jack says there won't. I guess you'll 174 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:10,360 find out, said Aunt Cyrilia, reassuringly. The pale, pretty girl 175 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:12,759 came up and took the baby from the tired mother. 176 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:17,559 What a dear little fellow, she said softly. Are you 177 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:21,960 going home for Christmas? Too, asked Aunt Cylia. The girl 178 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,519 shook her head. I haven't any home. I'm just a 179 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,360 shop girl out of work at present, and I'm going 180 00:11:28,399 --> 00:11:32,639 to Pembroke to look for some Aunt Cyrilia went to 181 00:11:32,639 --> 00:11:35,279 her basket and took out her box of cream candy. 182 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:39,080 I guess we might as well enjoy ourselves. Let's eat 183 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:41,679 it all up and have a good time. Maybe we'll 184 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:45,320 get down to Pembroke in the morning. The little group 185 00:11:45,399 --> 00:11:48,559 grew cheerful as they nibbled, and even the pale girl 186 00:11:48,639 --> 00:11:53,679 brightened up. The little mother told Aunt Syrilia her story aside, 187 00:11:54,279 --> 00:11:57,279 she had been long estranged from her family, who had 188 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:01,519 disapproved of her marriage. Her husband died the previous summer, 189 00:12:01,799 --> 00:12:05,960 leaving her in poor circumstances. Father wrote to me last 190 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,879 week and asked me to let bygones be bygones and 191 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:13,960 come home for Christmas. I was so glad, and the 192 00:12:14,039 --> 00:12:18,000 children's hearts were set on it. It seems too bad 193 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:20,080 that we are not to get there. I have to 194 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:24,480 be back at work. The morning after Christmas, the Khaki 195 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:28,200 boy came up again and shared the candy. He told 196 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:32,480 amusing stories of campaigning in South Africa. The minister came 197 00:12:32,519 --> 00:12:35,879 too and listened, and even the seal skinned lady turned 198 00:12:35,919 --> 00:12:40,360 her head over her shoulder. By and by the children 199 00:12:40,399 --> 00:12:44,240 fell asleep, one on Aunt Syrilia's lap and one on 200 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:48,559 Lucy Rose's, and two on the seat. Aunt Cyrilia and 201 00:12:48,639 --> 00:12:51,320 the pale girl helped the mother make up beds for them. 202 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:55,360 The minister gave his overcoat, and the seal skin lady 203 00:12:55,399 --> 00:12:58,679 came forward with a shawl. This will do for the baby, 204 00:12:59,039 --> 00:13:02,799 she said. We must get up some Santa Claus for 205 00:13:02,879 --> 00:13:06,200 these youngsters, said the Khaki boy. Let's hang their stockings 206 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,200 on the wall and fill em up as best. We can. 207 00:13:08,639 --> 00:13:11,519 Have nothing about me but some hard cash and a jackknife. 208 00:13:11,639 --> 00:13:13,440 I'll give em each a quarter, and the boy can 209 00:13:13,519 --> 00:13:17,200 have the knife. I've nothing but money either, said the 210 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:21,759 seal skin Lady regretfully. Aunt Syrilia glanced at the little mother. 211 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:25,399 She had fallen asleep with her head against the seat back. 212 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,080 I've got a basket over there, said Aunt Cyrilia firmly, 213 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,399 and I've got some presents in it that I was 214 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:35,360 taking to my nephew's children. I'm going to give 'em 215 00:13:35,399 --> 00:13:38,519 to these. As for the money, I think the mother 216 00:13:38,639 --> 00:13:40,799 is the one for it to go to. She's been 217 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:43,639 telling me her story, and a pitiful one it is. 218 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:46,320 Let's make up a little purse among us for a 219 00:13:46,399 --> 00:13:51,279 Christmas present. The idea met with favor. The Khaki boy 220 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:55,200 passed his cap, and everybody contributed. This seal Skin Lady 221 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:58,840 put in a crumpled note. When Aunt Sylia straightened it out, 222 00:13:58,919 --> 00:14:03,679 she saw that it was for twenty dollars. Meanwhile, Lucy 223 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,840 Rose had brought the basket. She smiled at Aunt Syrila 224 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,879 as she lugged it down the aisle, and Aunt Cyrilia 225 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:15,399 smiled back. Lucy Rose had never touched that basket of 226 00:14:15,399 --> 00:14:20,600 her own accord. Before Ray's boat went to Jackie and 227 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:25,080 Daisy's doll to his oldest sister. The twins lace handkerchiefs 228 00:14:25,159 --> 00:14:28,440 to the two smaller girls, and the hood to the baby. 229 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:33,000 Then the stockings were filled up with doughnuts and jelly cookies, 230 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,519 and the money was put in an envelope and pinned 231 00:14:35,559 --> 00:14:39,440 to the little mother's jacket. That baby is such a 232 00:14:39,559 --> 00:14:43,240 dear little fellow, said the Sealskin lady gently. He looked 233 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:47,240 something like my little son. He died eighteen christmases ago. 234 00:14:48,879 --> 00:14:51,799 Aunt Syrila put her hand over the lady's kid glove. 235 00:14:52,639 --> 00:14:57,279 So did mine, she said. Then the two women smiled 236 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:01,720 tenderly at each other. Afterwards they wrested from their labors 237 00:15:01,879 --> 00:15:04,879 and all had what Aunt Syrilia called a snack of 238 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:09,000 sandwiches and pound cake. The Khaki boy said he hadn't 239 00:15:09,039 --> 00:15:12,559 tasted anything half so good since he left home. They 240 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:15,000 didn't give us pound cake in South Africa, he said. 241 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:19,759 When morning came and the storm was still raging, the 242 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:23,440 children wakened and went wild with delight over their stockings. 243 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:27,679 The little mother found her envelope and tried to utter thanks, 244 00:15:27,799 --> 00:15:31,480 and broke down, and nobody knew what to say or do. 245 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:35,360 When the conductor fortunately came in and made a diversion 246 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:37,840 by telling them they might as well resign themselves to 247 00:15:37,879 --> 00:15:42,320 spending Christmas on the train. This is serious, said the 248 00:15:42,399 --> 00:15:46,399 Khaki boy, when you consider that we've no provisions. Don't 249 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:49,360 mind for myself used to have rations or no rations 250 00:15:49,399 --> 00:15:53,759 at all, But these kiddies will have tremendous appetites. Then 251 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:59,039 Aunt Cyrilia rose to the occasion. I've got some emergency 252 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:02,799 rations here, she announced. There's plenty for all, and we'll 253 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:07,360 have our Christmas dinner, although a cold one breakfast. First thing, 254 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,519 there's a sandwich apiece left, and we must fill up 255 00:16:10,519 --> 00:16:12,519 on what is left of the cookies and doughnuts and 256 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,320 save the rest for a real good spread at dinnertime. 257 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,720 The only thing is I haven't any bread. I have 258 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:22,720 a box of soda crackers, said the little mother eagerly. 259 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:27,879 Nobody in that car will ever forget that Christmas to 260 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:32,080 begin with. After breakfast, they had a concert. The Khaki 261 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,879 Boy gave two recitations, sang three songs, and gave a 262 00:16:35,919 --> 00:16:40,639 whistling solo. Lucy Rose gave three recitations, and the Minister 263 00:16:40,799 --> 00:16:44,840 a comic reading. The Pale Shop Girl sang two songs. 264 00:16:45,279 --> 00:16:47,879 It was agreed that the Khaki boys whistling solo was 265 00:16:47,919 --> 00:16:51,039 the best number, and Aunt Cyrilia gave him the bouquet 266 00:16:51,159 --> 00:16:56,240 of Everlastings as a reward of merit. Then the conductor 267 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:58,759 came in with the cheerful news that the storm was 268 00:16:58,879 --> 00:17:01,440 almost over, and he thought the track would be cleared 269 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:04,680 in a few hours. If we can get to that 270 00:17:04,799 --> 00:17:07,440 next station will be all right, he said. The branch 271 00:17:07,559 --> 00:17:10,119 joins the main line there and the tracks will be clear. 272 00:17:12,079 --> 00:17:15,759 At noon, they had dinner, the train hands were invited 273 00:17:15,759 --> 00:17:18,359 in to share it. The minister carved the chicken with 274 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:21,599 the brakeman's jackknife, and the Khaki boy cut up the 275 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:24,880 tongue and the mince pies, while the Sealskin Lady mixed 276 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:29,799 the raspberry vinegrette with its due proportions of water. Bits 277 00:17:29,799 --> 00:17:33,400 of paper served as plates. The train furnished a couple 278 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:37,480 of glasses. A tin pint cup was discovered and given 279 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,759 to the children on Srilia and Lucy Rose and the 280 00:17:40,759 --> 00:17:46,000 Sealskin Lady drank turn about from the latter's graduated medicine glass. 281 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:49,079 The shopgirl and the little mother shared one of the 282 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:52,119 empty bottles, and the Khaki Boy, the Minister and the 283 00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:56,400 train men drank out of the other bottle. Everybody declared 284 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:59,720 they had never enjoyed a meal more in their lives. 285 00:18:00,559 --> 00:18:04,319 Certainly it was a merry one, and Aunt Cyrilia's cooking 286 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:08,359 was never more appreciated. Indeed, the bones of a chicken 287 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,920 and the pot of preserves were all that was left. 288 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,200 They could not eat the preserves because they had no spoons, 289 00:18:14,519 --> 00:18:18,240 and Aunt Syrilia gave them to the little mother. When 290 00:18:18,279 --> 00:18:21,160 all was over, a hearty vote of thanks was passed 291 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:25,079 to Aunt Syrilia and her basket. The Sealskin Lady wanted 292 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:27,119 to know how she made her pound cake, and the 293 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:31,799 Khaki Boy asked for her recipe for jelly cookies. And 294 00:18:31,839 --> 00:18:35,119 when two hours later the conductor came in and said 295 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:38,039 the snowplows had got along and they'd soon be starting, 296 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:41,000 they all wondered if it could really be less than 297 00:18:41,039 --> 00:18:44,599 twenty four hours since they met. I feel as if 298 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:46,920 I'd been campaigning with you all my life, said the 299 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:51,640 Khaki boy. At the next station, they all parted. The 300 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,119 little mother and the children had to take the next 301 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:58,079 train back home. The minister stayed there, and the Khaki 302 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:02,640 Boy and the Sealskin Lady changed. The Sealskin Lady shook 303 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:07,200 Aunt Srilia's hand. She no longer looked discontented or cross. 304 00:19:08,599 --> 00:19:12,200 This has been the pleasantest Christmas I have ever spent, 305 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:16,359 she said heartily. I shall never forget that wonderful basket 306 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:19,200 of yours. The little shop girl is going home with me. 307 00:19:19,519 --> 00:19:23,519 I've promised her a place in my husband's store. When 308 00:19:23,559 --> 00:19:27,640 Aunt Syrilia and Lucy Rose reached Pembroke, there was nobody 309 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:31,680 there to meet them because everyone had given up expecting them. 310 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:34,519 It was not far from the station to Edward's house, 311 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:38,440 and Aunt Syrilia elected to walk. I'll carry the basket, 312 00:19:38,559 --> 00:19:42,559 said Lucy Rose. Aunt Cyrilia relinquished it with a smile. 313 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:47,400 Lucy Rose smiled too. It's a blessed old basket, said 314 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:50,759 the latter, and I love it. Please forget all the 315 00:19:50,759 --> 00:19:56,160 silly things I ever said about it, Aunt Syrilia. End 316 00:19:56,319 --> 00:20:01,119 of Aunt Syrilia's Christmas Basket by Lucy Maud Montgomery