And he felt
he had no answer to give his little ghost, but one he would be ashamed
for her to hear. But his grandchild saw him now, and walked up to him
with a childish stateliness, stumbling once or twice on what seemed her
long shroud. Pushing through the crowded shadows, she reached him,
climbed upon his knee, laid her little long-haired head on his
shoulders, and said,--'Ganpa! you goomy? Isn't it your Kissy-Day too,
ganpa?'
"A new fount of love seemed to burst from the clay of the old man's
heart. He clasped the child to his bosom, and wept. Then, without a
word, he rose with her in his arms, carried her up to her room, and
laying her down in her bed, covered her up, kissed her sweet little
mouth unconscious of reproof, and then went to the drawing-room.
"As soon as he entered, he saw the culprits in a quiet corner alone. He
went up to them, took a hand of each, and joining them in both his,
said, 'God bless you!' Then he turned to the rest of the company, and
'Now,' said he, 'let's have a Christmas carol.'--And well he might; for
though I have paid many visits to the house, I have never seen him
cross since; and I am sure that must cost him a good deal of trouble."
"We have just come from a great palace," said another, "where we knew
there were many children, and where we thought to hear glad voices, and
see royally merry looks. But as soon as we entered, we became aware
that one mighty Shadow shrouded the whole; and that Shadow deepened and
deepened, till it gathered in darkness about the reposing form of a
wise prince.
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