hung dead; with opened; speckled
wings; in the dairy。 The time was e to make pies; in
readiness。
The expectation grew more tense。 The star was risen into the
sky; the songs; the carols were ready to hail it。 The star was
the sign in the sky。 Earth too should give a sign。 As evening
drew on; hearts beat fast with anticipation; hands were full of
ready gifts。 There were the tremulously expectant words of the
church service; the night was past and the morning was e; the
gifts were given and received; joy and peace made a flapping of
wings in each heart; there was a great burst of carols; the
Peace of the World had dawned; strife had passed away; every
hand was linked in hand; every heart was singing。
It was bitter; though; that Christmas Day; as it drew on to
evening; and night; became a sort of bank holiday; flat and
stale。 The morning was so wonderful; but in the afternoon and
evening the ecstasy perished like a nipped thing; like a bud in
a false spring。 Alas; that Christmas was only a domestic feast;
a feast of sweetmeats and toys! Why did not the grown…ups also
change their everyday hearts; and give way to ecstasy? Where was
the ecstasy?
How passionately the Brangwens craved for it; the ecstasy。
The father was troubled; dark…faced and disconsolate; on
Christmas night; because the passion was not there; because the