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