Christmas comes but once a year, and you have all been good children."

The room soon rang with the shouts of Hans and his sisters. They
played "Blind Man's Buff" and other games. Their father took part in
all of them as though he were a boy again. The good mother looked on
with pleasant smiles.

Bedtime came only too soon. But just before the children said good
night, the father took Hans one side and talked seriously yet
lovingly with him. He told the boy of the faults he must still fight
against. He spoke also of the improvement he had made during the
year.

At the same time the mother gave words of kind advice to her little
daughters. She told them to keep up good courage; to be busy and
patient in the year to come.

"My dear little girls," she whispered, as she kissed them, "I love to
see you happy in your play. But the good Lord who cares for us has
given us all some work to do in this world. Be faithful in doing
yours."




CHAPTER II.

TOY-MAKING

"Wake up, Bertha. Come, Gretchen. You will have to hurry, for it is