No, we must
be patient and try to do our best, so that we can go to him. Go
now, Jamie, before it gets too late. I'll get supper, and then
we'll sing a Christmas hymn; and you and Susie shall hang up your
stockings, just as you did last Christmas, when dear papa was with
us. We'll try to do everything he would wish, and then by and by
we shall see him again."
As the boy started on his errand his father stepped back out of
the light of the window, then followed the child with a great
yearning in his heart. He would make sure the boy was safe at home
again before he carried out his plan. From a distance he saw the
little fellow receive the coal and start slowly homeward with the
burden, and he followed to a point where the light of the street-
lamps ceased, then joined the child, and said in a gruff voice,
"Here, little man, I'm going your way. Let me carry your basket;"
and he took it and strode on so fast that the boy had to run to
keep pace with him. Jamie shuffled along through the snow as well
as he could, but his little legs were so short in comparison with
those of the kindly stranger that he found himself gradually
falling behind.
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