so morning will come sooner."

Alone with the stockings, into which Lizzie put the candy and oranges,
Amos sat long staring at the base burner. Without, the moon sailed
high. Wood snapping in the intense cold was the only sound on the
wonder of the night. Something of the urgent joy and beauty of the Eve
touched Amos, for he finally rose and said,

"Well, I've got two fine children, anyhow." Then he filled up the
stoves for the night and went to bed.




CHAPTER IV

THE RAVISHED NEST


"The young pine bends to the storm. The old pine breaks."--_The
Murmuring Pine_.


It would be difficult to say which enjoyed the doll house more, Lydia
or Patience. It would be difficult to say which one was the more
touched, Lizzie or Amos by the package each found on the breakfast
table. Amos unwrapped his to find therein a pipe tray fashioned from
cigar box wood and stained with Lydia's walnut dye. Lizzie's gift was
a flat black pin-cushion, with "Lizzie, with love from Lydia,"
embroidered crazily on it in red. Florence Dombey showed no emotion