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froia every "branch. For years after, I would remember that tree, just as I remembered other things about Grandma's house. There was always the smell of baked raisin buns which Grandma seemed never to be out of, a crock full of pickles in the cellar, and food in the burlap-covered ice-box on the back porch. In the living room there were two colonnades attached to glass-fronted cupboards holding Grandma's prized dishes and ornaments, some of which now ait in my own glass cup-bo<ird. And two old pendulum clocks ticked out the hours and chimed simultaneously. Just as Mama was about finished with my hair, a light tapping sound came from the big window. I looked up just in time to see a rosy-cheeked face peering in from outside. It was somehow familiar-a red hat trimmed with white, long white whickers, twinkling eyes. Then els quickly as he had appeared, he was gone. I'Jy heart seemed to jump into my throat and I darted fron my chair. Mama ran to the door and called out, "Kerry Christmas 1" but when it was all over they found me shaking and frightened under the table, curled up like a little Christmas mouse! I wondered if there could be some special meaning in my seeing Santa Claus. Did this mean that I had been good or bed? In those days it was not common to see Santa. There were no large department stores where we lived, no parades to usher in the season, no television on which he appeared time and time again. To catch a glimpse of him was something quite rare and special indeed, an experience no child could forget! Yet my feelings were nixed. I was glad I had seen him, but wondered just how much he knew about me. I knew I could never sleep when Mama cane and said it was time to go upstairs, but I went anyway (remembering to say my prayers). I cuddled down in the big feather bed and tried to sleep. I secretly vowed I would never do anything naughty again. I hoped, too, that Santa would remember Mama and Daddy, and Grandma, of course. Daddy had a bic blue dump truck and had come up from 121 |
