They made such a pretty picture that there was quite a burst of applause

They were a merry party as they walked across the snowy meadow to church

The children set to work and transformed the hall into a perfect bower

‘But what is that bundle of rags for?’ went on Vivian, putting up his hand to pull them down

Isobel lay down with a story-book on the schoolroom sofa, and soon fell into a heavy sleep

There, to his horror, looking through the gap, was a rough-looking man, with a stubbly beard, and a dirty white muffler twisted loosely round his neck

At last a tiny red speck appeared under the yellow lamp, and began to move slowly up the road

‘Thou lazy dreamer!’ she said, pulling him to his feet by the collar of his blue cotton blouse

He sank gratefully into the soft bed of straw which the kind countryman made up for him, and had fallen into a feverish sleep

‘Mother, oh mother!’ he cried.... ‘Can you forgive me?’