Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-29
WHAT THE PUDDING BROUlf1T.



1t was the midnight of the Christmas
vigil, not the cold brilliant midnight that
we are wont to associate with the holy
eve, but soft and bland, with mild airs
moving in from the sea, and a misty moon
struggling through faint clouds. On the
cliffs the surf lapsed ndbroke with deep
toned murmur. The high chalk downs
above still wore garment Of turf almost
summer green. Greencr yet was the
trinity cut grass where tiny Bonchurch
lay buried in tree shadows so deep as to
shut out every ray of moonlight ; and all
the lovely Isle of Wight seemed wrapped
in Il deep repose Of universal sleep.
Not quite all. Half a mile away ilom
Bonchurch the moon, peeping through
the news, revealed knot of dark figures
collected under the windows Of a small
house, and presently, after some prelim-
mary notes OH Il tuning-fork, voices broke
forth III Christmas carol. These were
the waits beginning their tunefulrou
They had come, first OF all, to Mrs. Dur
kies, because Of her dodgers, American
ladies', 10 whom the custom might proba-
bly, be novelty, aud thereby provoke n
larger dole than the performers were in
the habit of getting from more accus-
toned listeners
The American dodgers were not parti-
cularly charmed TO be thus reused from
their first sleep by strains which, though
well meant. were rather the reverse OF
harmonious.
Good gracious what is it 2" demand
ed Aileen, the first to wake Then, her
cluuded senses gradually clearing them.
selves, Emmy. Emmy" she cried, "dc
you hear that noise? 1t must be tho
carol-singers.
"Oh dear why did they come ?" pro
tested sleepy Emmy. 81 was Just SO
nicely asleep!' But she sought out
wrapper and slippers in the dark, ant
presently joined Aileen mt the window
from which the waits could be seen stand
ing in the shadow Of the yews, with theil
music books and lanterns, no unpictur
esque group. Another moment and the
inner door opened, admitting Marian, til,
third and oldest sister of the trio.
"What are those horrible sounds 2" sh,
asked. "They woke me out of sounG
sleep, and such a nice dream. Though
We were at home again, and spending
Christmas at NestledOwn with Aunty Rue
It's too bad TO he walked up. / shoul,
like to sleep all through tomorrow, an,
keep ON dreaming Where are you, child
dren, and what il this extraordinary warb
ling?'
"Hush, Marian, and come and listen
It's the waits"
'Dear me why conldn't they wait til
tomorrow They look rather pretty
too, out there in tho moonlight" admit
ted Marian, pceping over Emmy's shoul
der But why don't they keep bette
time ? There, did you catch that hig
note =? Half n tone fiat And what
the instrument that tail man is playing
which makes such extraordinary discord
now and them"
"a flute, | think only il is always hal
bar behind the voices What dro
old custom it is ~
81 object to ii altogether" said tn
fair, stately Allen. what right hay
theso-well, very doubtful musical pee
pie to come and wake rs up, without say
ing BY your leave, and remind us of til
very thing we were doing our best to fol
get? You know we agreed not to spea
the very name of Christmas even or Civ
any presents, or do anything difierer
from any other day of the year.
eve didn't reckon on these crotcheter
and quayerers, remarked Emmy
"What's that"
'That" was low knock at the door.
"Ladies, do You hear the carols ?" ash
ed the voice of their landlady, modulate
TO cautious whisper.
"Why, of course we do. Mrs. Durkie
how can we help hearing them ?" sal
Marian, with rather an exasperated n,
cent in her voice.
"rhe music walked us up said Emm,
Mrs. Dnrkie, are we expected to Civ
something to the singers ? You must tie
u.s."
s"Well, it is usual, admitted Mrs Dul
kie.