their wickedness?Martin snorted. Idont know. I think its just to teach you vocabulary. They couldjust as easily be miserly farmers or frivolous farmers.If it made moresense, Im sure Id understand it better.Martin picked up apencil and began translating. Im sure youre right, Henry.It took Martin notime at all to translate everything. He didnt even have to look atthe book for help. Henry watched, slightly awed and definitelyenvious.Here you are. Youjust need to copy these in your own handwriting and youll be set.Henry did as Martinsuggested. It still seemed like cheating, but it was the samecheating everyone else did, and Martin obviously didnt mind Henryclaiming the work as his own. When he finished copying thetranslations, Martin dressed him with brisk efficiency and thenfollowed him downstairs to the dining room.After dinner, Corawas brought down to the parlor to receive birthday greetings from herparents. She was full of talk of the circus, and of her brother andMartin, and Father frowned and blinked at her excited chatter....and theresa dancing bear, Father, which is my very favorite, and agentleman acrobat and a lady acrobat, too. How do you think alady gets to be an acrobat, Father? Is there a school? Could I go toacrobat school and dancing school?Certainly not,Father said. Henry, are you putting ideas in your sisters headabout joining the circus?No, sir. I gaveher a toy circus for her birthday, though, and she seems to like itquite well.Eagerly, Cora said,Father? Did you know? Martin picked it out for meHenry saidso.Father raised aneyebrow and Henry shrugged. He did, sir. Hes good with her.There was a packagefor Cora, her present from Mother and Father. Pearl roused Mother sothat she could watch Cora open the gift, an astrakhan muff andmatching hat. Cora seemed to like this gift perfectly well, andthanked her parents with minimal prompting from Nurse, but it wasclear to Henry that she felt much more grateful for the circus, andhe couldnt help feeling pleased. Thoughtfulness made for goodgiftsMartins thoughtfulness. Next time he might have occasionto give a gift, he would do well to follow Martins example andconsider the recipient.On Friday, everyoneat school was in high spirits, talkative and boisterous. They werescolded for their immaturity and restiveness by each teacher in turn,but the chastisement had little impact on their collective mood. Theywould not be back in their seats until January 2nd, a break of elevenwhole days, and all were anticipating ease and pleasure, presents andgood food.They rode home onthe omnibus as part of a large, convivial group, and when Henry andLouis got off with their slaves, the other boys opened the windowsand shouted Merry Christmas at them, which embarrassed Henrybut gladdened his heart. They walked the short distance home andHenry and Martin said goodbye to Louis and Peter at the front gate.By the way, Jameswill be home tonight, Louis said. Hes coming in on a latetrain. Why dont you come over tomorrow afternoon to say hello tohim and Grandma Ida?Henry was a littleapprehensive about seeing James again after their last encounter. Butall he said was, Ill be glad to see them both.There was a new Palswaiting for them