Chapter 10 The First Real Christmas.
That winter, letters flew back and forth between Jasper and the Peppers.
Jasper wrote to Mrs. Pepper as well.
Remembering Jasper's wonderful stories about his many Christmases, Polly and Ben decided to make a real Christmas for the little Peppers.
They told Mrs. Pepper their plan.
To their great surprise, she agreed it was a fine idea.
We must have a real tree just like Jasper's, Ben said.
We'll decorate it with candles and things so it looks just as elegant as can be, Polly cried.
We'll have to make our plans after the little ones are asleep, Ben whispered.
Otherwise they'll know and it will spoil the surprise.
Polly and Ben worked as hard as they could to come up with presents for the little ones and decorations for their first Christmas tree.
Every night, after the younger children went to bed, Ben and Polly sat around the kitchen table with Mrs Pepper.
While she sewed by candlelight, they made ornaments out of colored paper.
They sewed strings of popcorn and cranberries.
Then they made presents for the children's stockings.
Polly made a paper doll for Francie from the leftover bits of colored paper.
Ben carved windmills and whistles for the boys and a little basket with a handle for Francie.
Mrs. Pepper sewed a pink dress and a little bonnet for Francie's baby doll.
She knitted some mittens for Joel and Davy.
Then she and Polly made taffy to put in the stockings, too.
'We will have the best Christmas of anyone', Polly said joyfully as she looked at the growing pile of presents laid out on the table.
It's almost as much fun getting ready for Christmas as it is to have Christmas Day, Ben said as he carved away.
Mrs. Pepper smiled an odd little smile.
She'd had a secret letter from Jasper about Christmas, but she had not said a word to Ben and Polly.
Jasper's plans would be their Christmas surprise.
The weeks flew by until it was only three days to Christmas.
Where should we put the tree?
Polly wondered.
We can't put it in the kitchen.
The little ones will see it.
The storage room next to the house is the best place for it, Mrs. Pepper suggested.
Ben and Polly agreed.
The next day, Mrs Pepper told Joel and Davy and Franzi that it was time to hang the Christmas stockings.
Joel let out a whoop of delight.
He and Davy turned the house upside down, looking for the biggest stockings they could find to hang over the fireplace.
Franzi carefully chose her brightest, reddest stocking to hang.
So Santa will know which one is mine, she said quietly.
Will Santa know which one is mine?
Joel worried.
Santa is very smart, Mrs. Pepper assured him.
On Christmas Eve, everyone was so excited and the little ones were so full of questions.
Polly was sure no one would get a wink of sleep.
Will Santa really come down the chimney?
Joel asked.
Will he be all covered with soot? asked Davy.
Will he bring something for my doll?
Francie asked with concern.
Yes, no and yes.
Polly said eager to get the little ones off to bed so she and Ben could fill their stockings before morning.
I'm going to stay up all night so I can see Santa, Joel vowed.
Me too, Davy said.
But soon enough, Joel and Davy nodded off, and Ben carried them into bed.
After giving her red stocking a goodnight kiss, Francie crept into bed as well.
As Polly tucked Francie in for the night, the little girl's eyes were happy and bright.
I wish I had something to give Santa, she whispered.
Polly's heart filled with love.
She covered Francie with kisses.
If you're a good girl, Francie, every day, that's the best present Santa could have.
Then I'll be good always, Polly.
On Christmas morning, Polly called upstairs.
Merry Christmas!
Quick as a flash, Joel Davy and Francie jumped out of their beds and headed straight for the stockings.
Santa did come, Francie yelled as she spun around, hugging her very full red stocking.
Taffy, Davy said, stuffing a piece into his mouth.
Oh, Davy, candy for breakfast, Mrs. Pepper exclaimed with a smile.
Candy's the best breakfast, Joel added, munching on his own peas.
The three little Peppers emptied their stockings.
They laughed and smiled over each and every gift.
I wish every day was Christmas, Joel said, tooting on the whistle Ben had made him.
It can't always be Christmas, Joel, Mrs. Pepper answered him with a smile.
When can we light the tree?
Polly asked in a whisper.
Mamsie said she would do it.
Ben whispered back.
Is your Santa costume safe?
Polly said.
Tucked away.
They would never find it.
Ben chuckled.
I wish Jasper were here.
Polly sighed.
By five o'clock that evening, everyone was tired from the excitement of the day.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Pepper had been busy in her own way.
She came into the kitchen and set down her candle on the table.
She gave Ben a secret nod and he quietly slipped out of the room.
Now, children, Mrs. Pepper said, I want you to come with me.
Mrs. Pepper and Polly moved the children toward the storage room.
Pamcy, why are we going in there?
Joel complained.
Just then, Mamsie swung open the door.
The children's eyes opened wide.
With a gasp, they ran into the storage room.
Polly took one look and sank right down to the floor.
It's a fairyland, Joel cried.
The whole room was buzzing with chatter and fun.
In the center of it all was the most beautiful tree that Polly had ever seen.
It was ablaze with candles.
On its branches were beautiful ornaments and delicious-looking trees.
A pile of presents glittered below it and standing around the tree were all the good friends in Badgertown.
Mrs. Henderson and the Parson, Dr. Fisher and Grandma Bascom.
Suddenly there was a rattle at the window.
It's Santa Claus, Francie, Joel, and Davy shrieked.
In jumped a little old man with a jolly red face and a pack on his back.
Instead of wishing everyone Merry Christmas, he ran over to Mrs Pepper and asked with surprise Ramsey, how did you do it?
It's Ben, Francie shouted.
Ben grabbed Polly's hands and joyfully spun her around in circles.
All of the Peppers joined in, shouting and laughing along.
Hold on there, Parson Henderson shouted above the den.
I have a letter here for Santa, he said.
Ben took the letter and read it aloud.
Dear Mrs. Pepper, Polly, Ben, Francie, Joel, and Davy, Merry Christmas to you all.
I hope you'll have a good time.
Please enjoy this Christmas as much as I've enjoyed my good times at your house.
See you this summer with my sister and all of my nephews in tow.
Your friend, Jasper Elliot King.
Dr Fisher picked up a present marked with a big red card that said For Miss Polly Pepper to give her music every day of the year from Jasper and handed it to her.
It was a lovely brass cajun.
In.
It was a dear little bird with two bright black eyes that looked straight into Polly's merry brown ones.
Polly burst into tears.
"'I never thought I'd have a bird of my very own,' she exclaimed.
Gifts came flying fast after that.
Ben got a new suit of clothes that fit him perfectly.
A shawl fell down on Mrs. Pepper's shoulders.
A work basket and a cookbook tumbled onto Polly's lap.
Tops and balls and fishing poles sent Joel and Davy into a corner howling with delight.
There were books and brightly wrapped candy boxes for everyone.
There was also a big doll dressed in a pink silk dress with a note that read For Francie, from the one who enjoyed her gingerbread boy.
The best present of all was for Polly.
It was a plant stand containing dozens of different flower pots with flowers enough to blossom for the whole year.
From the corner of the room, Joel's voice piped up.
You said it couldn't always be Christmas, Mamsie.
Then he looked around at all the treasures and the happy smiling faces.
But I think it will be Christmas forever.
Forever.
