hurrying through leaves. I look. Where door of other room always lived
was most beautiful Christmas-tree of any world, all light with flaming
candles and gold and silver balls. On very tip-most top the lovely big
surprise from foreign country. It wore dress of spangly stars and white.
Big brown eyes and hair like rice-straw when sun shines through it.
It held out welcome arms. Every move of tree give sway to body. I know
trulier, but surely, it have look of real life. Teacher rolled tree
to middle of room in bare spot, which made glad to have it. Children
laughed and clapped hands happy of that day, and call' many funny
sayings. I forget the anxious in my happy of that day, and turn with
glad eye on Tãke Chan. Bamboo boy. Never I see such wonderful thing
as the glory. First he see only it, and give low tight whisper, "The
Offering." His eye fly to tip of top. He lean' way over like his body
break with eager. Joyful speech come with long sigh, "Ah--the guest
he is come!" For one minute room very still, and just same as fairy
give him enchantment Tãke Chan rose from floor till he come right under
tree. Other childrens make such merries. They have thought it play.
But all sounds and peoples passes away from my vision. Nothing left
but picture of one small blue soldier looking up through blazon flames
of Christmas-tree to shining thing above. His cheeks so full of red with
fighting cough, eyes so bright with wet of tears, he fold his hands
for prayer, and soft like pigeon talking with mate he speak: "O most
Honorable Little God! How splendid! You are real; come live with me. In
my garden I am a soldier; I'll show you the dragon-flies and the river.
Please will you come?" My heart have pause of beat. I think fever give
Tãke Chan's mind delirious. Quick I uncement my feet from floor to go to
him. "Tahke Chan," I say with lovely voice, "that is not a God nor even
image. Listen: it's only a big foreign doll which postman bring this
morning as great surprise from America. Teacher put it up high so all
childs could see it. Look what kindergarten give you--most beautiful