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Immerse yourself in the heartwarming world of Louisa May Alcott’s classic short story, "A Christmas Dream, and How It Came True." This timeless audiobook summary is perfect for anyone seeking to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas through a tale of generosity, empathy, and holiday spirit. Written by the celebrated author of "Little Women," this story follows Effie, a ten-year-old girl who is tired of the predictable and materialistic side of Christmas. Through a magical and transformative dream, she learns the profound joy of giving and the importance of helping those less fortunate.
This SEO-optimized summary and audiobook is filled with essential keywords to help you find the best content for your holiday season, including "Louisa May Alcott audiobook," "A Christmas Dream," "classic Christmas story," and "the true meaning of Christmas." Discover the moral lessons and themes of compassion and selflessness that are as relevant today as they were in the 19th century. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature, a parent looking for a festive story, or simply someone who loves the holiday season, this audiobook is a perfect listen.
This SEO-optimized summary and audiobook is filled with essential keywords to help you find the best content for your holiday season, including "Louisa May Alcott audiobook," "A Christmas Dream," "classic Christmas story," and "the true meaning of Christmas." Discover the moral lessons and themes of compassion and selflessness that are as relevant today as they were in the 19th century. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature, a parent looking for a festive story, or simply someone who loves the holiday season, this audiobook is a perfect listen.
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00:00Gates of Imagination presents A Christmas Dream and How It Came to Be True
00:06by Louisa May Alcott
00:09Read by Olivia Lane
00:12I'm so tired of Christmas, I wish there never would be another one,
00:21exclaimed a discontented-looking little girl
00:23as she sat idly watching her mother arrange a pile of gifts
00:27two days before they were to be given.
00:30Why, Effie, what a dreadful thing to say!
00:34You are as bad as old Scrooge,
00:36and I'm afraid something will happen to you, as it did to him,
00:40if you don't care for dear Christmas, answered Mama,
00:44almost dropping the silver horn she was filling with delicious candies.
00:48Who was Scrooge? What happened to him? asked Effie,
00:53with a glimmer of interest in her listless face
00:55as she picked out the sourest lemon drop she could find.
00:59For nothing sweet suited her just then.
01:03He was one of Dickens' best people,
01:06and you can read the charming story some day.
01:09He hated Christmas until a strange dream showed him
01:12how dear and beautiful it was,
01:14and made a better man of him.
01:16I shall read it, for I like dreams,
01:20and have a great many curious ones myself,
01:23but they don't keep me from being tired of Christmas,
01:27said Effie, poking discontentedly among the sweeties
01:31for something worth eating.
01:32Why are you tired of what should be the happiest time of all the year?
01:38asked Mama anxiously.
01:40Perhaps I shouldn't be if I had something new,
01:44but it is always the same,
01:47and there isn't any more surprise about it.
01:50I always find heaps of goodies in my stocking,
01:53don't like some of them,
01:55and soon get tired of those I do like.
01:57We always have a great dinner,
02:00and I eat too much and feel ill next day.
02:04Then there is a Christmas tree somewhere,
02:06with a doll on top,
02:08or a stupid old Santa Claus,
02:10and children dancing and screaming
02:12over bonbons and toys that break,
02:15and shiny things that are of no use.
02:18Really, Mama,
02:19I've had so many Christmases all alike
02:22that I don't think I can bear another one.
02:24And Effie laid herself flat on the sofa,
02:29as if the mere idea was too much for her.
02:33Her mother laughed at her despair,
02:35but was sorry to see her little girl so discontented
02:39when she had everything to make her happy,
02:42and had known but ten Christmas days.
02:46Suppose we don't give you any presents at all.
02:49How would that suit you?
02:51asked Mama,
02:51anxious to please her spoiled child.
02:55I should like one large and splendid one,
02:59and one dear little one,
03:01to remember some very nice person by,
03:04said Effie,
03:06who was a fanciful little body,
03:08full of odd whims and notions,
03:10which her friends loved to gratify,
03:13regardless of time, trouble, or money,
03:15for she was the last of three little girls,
03:18and very dear to all the family.
03:21Well, my darling,
03:22I will see what I can do to please you,
03:25and not say a word until all is ready.
03:28If I could only get a new idea to start with.
03:33And Mama went on tying up her pretty bundles
03:36with a thoughtful face,
03:37while Effie strolled to the window
03:39to watch the rain that kept her indoors
03:41and made her dismal.
03:42Seems to me poor children
03:44have better times than rich ones.
03:47I can't go out,
03:47and there is a girl about my age
03:49splashing along,
03:50without any maid to fuss about rubbers
03:52and cloaks and umbrellas and colds.
03:54I wish I was a beggar girl.
03:57Would you like to be hungry,
03:59cold and ragged,
04:00to beg all day
04:01and sleep on an ash heap at night?
04:04asked Mama,
04:05wondering what would come next.
04:08Cinderella did,
04:09and had a nice time in the end.
04:12This girl out here
04:13has a basket of scraps on her arm,
04:15and a big old shawl all round her,
04:18and doesn't seem to care a bit,
04:20though the water runs out
04:21of the toes of her boots.
04:23She goes paddling along,
04:25laughing at the rain,
04:27and eating a cold potato
04:28as if it tasted nicer
04:30than the chicken and ice cream
04:31I had for dinner.
04:33Yes,
04:33I do think poor children
04:35are happier than rich ones.
04:39So do I, sometimes.
04:41At the orphan asylum today
04:43I saw two dozen
04:45merry little souls
04:46who have no parents,
04:48no home,
04:49and no hope of Christmas
04:50beyond a stick of candy
04:51or a cake.
04:53I wish you had been there
04:55to see how happy they were,
04:57playing with the old toys
04:58some richer children
04:59had sent them.
05:00You may give them all mine.
05:02I'm so tired of them
05:04I never want to see them again,
05:06said Effie,
05:07turning from the window
05:08to the pretty baby house
05:10full of everything
05:10a child's heart
05:11could desire.
05:13I will,
05:15and let you begin again
05:16with something
05:16you will not tire of
05:18if I can only find it.
05:21And Mama knit her brows
05:22trying to discover
05:23some grand surprise
05:24for this child
05:25who didn't care
05:27for Christmas.
05:28Nothing more was said then,
05:30and wandering off
05:32to the library,
05:33Effie found
05:34a Christmas carol,
05:36and curling herself up
05:37in the sofa corner,
05:39read it all before tea.
05:42Some of it
05:42she did not understand,
05:45but she laughed
05:46and cried over many parts
05:47of the charming story,
05:49and felt better
05:50without knowing why.
05:52All the evening
05:53she thought of
05:53poor tiny Tim,
05:55Mrs. Cratchit
05:56with the pudding,
05:58and the stout old gentleman
05:59who danced so gaily
06:01that his legs
06:02twinkled in the air.
06:04Presently,
06:05bedtime arrived.
06:07Come now
06:08and toast your feet,
06:09said Effie's nurse,
06:11while I do your pretty hair
06:12and tell stories.
06:14I'll have a fairy tale tonight,
06:16a very interesting one,
06:18commanded Effie,
06:20as she put on
06:20her blue silk wrapper
06:22and little fur-lined slippers
06:24to sit before the fire
06:25and have her long curls brushed.
06:29So Nursie told her best tales,
06:31and when at last
06:33the child lay down
06:34under her lace curtains,
06:36her head was full
06:37of a curious jumble
06:38of Christmas elves,
06:39poor children,
06:40snowstorms,
06:42sugar plums
06:42and surprises.
06:44So it is no wonder
06:45that she dreamed all night,
06:47and this was the dream,
06:49which she never quite forgot.
06:51she found herself sitting on a stone
06:55in the middle of a great field,
06:57all alone.
06:59The snow was falling fast,
07:01a bitter wind whistled by,
07:03and night was coming on.
07:05She felt hungry,
07:06cold and tired,
07:07and did not know where to go,
07:09nor what to do.
07:11I wanted to be a beggar girl,
07:13and now I am one,
07:15but I don't like it,
07:16and wish somebody would come
07:18and take care of me.
07:19I don't know who I am,
07:21and I think I must be lost,
07:24thought Effie,
07:25with the curious interest
07:26one takes in oneself in dreams.
07:29But the more she thought about it,
07:31the more bewildered she felt.
07:34Faster fell the snow,
07:36colder blew the wind,
07:37darker grew the night,
07:39and poor Effie made up her mind
07:41that she was quite forgotten,
07:42and left to freeze alone.
07:44The tears were chilled on her cheeks,
07:48her feet felt like icicles,
07:51and her heart died within her,
07:53so hungry, frightened,
07:55and forlorn was she.
07:58Laying her head on her knees,
08:00she gave herself up for lost,
08:02and sat there with the great flakes
08:04fast turning her
08:05to a little white mound,
08:07when suddenly
08:08the sound of music reached her,
08:11and starting up,
08:12she looked and listened
08:13with all her eyes and ears.
08:17Far away a dim light shone,
08:19and a voice was heard singing.
08:21She tried to run toward
08:22the welcome glimmer,
08:23but could not stir,
08:24and stood like a small statue
08:26of expectation
08:27while the light drew nearer,
08:29and the sweet words
08:30of the song grew clearer.
08:34From our happy home
08:36through the world we roam.
08:38One week in all the year,
08:40making winter spring
08:41with the joy we bring,
08:43for Christmas tide is here.
08:45Now the eastern star
08:46shines from afar
08:47to light the poorest home.
08:49Hearts warmer grow,
08:51gifts freely flow,
08:52for Christmas tide has come.
08:54Now gay trees rise
08:55before young eyes
08:56abloom with tempting cheer.
08:58Blythe voices sing,
09:00and blithe bells ring,
09:02for Christmas tide is here.
09:04O happy chime,
09:05O blessed time,
09:07that draws us all so near.
09:08Welcome, dear day,
09:10all creatures say,
09:11for Christmas tide is here.
09:13A child's voice sang,
09:17a child's hand carried
09:19the little candle,
09:20and in the circle
09:21of soft light it shed,
09:24Effie saw a pretty child
09:25coming to her
09:26through the night and snow.
09:28A rosy, smiling creature,
09:31wrapped in white fur,
09:33with a wreath of green
09:34and scarlet holly
09:35on its shining hair.
09:37The magic candle in one hand,
09:39and the other outstretched,
09:42as if to shower gifts
09:43and warmly press
09:44all other hands.
09:47Effie forgot to speak
09:48as this bright vision
09:50came nearer,
09:51leaving no trace
09:52of footsteps in the snow,
09:53only lighting the way
09:55with its little candle
09:56and filling the air
09:57with the music of its song.
10:00Dear child,
10:02you are lost,
10:03and I have come to find you,
10:05said the stranger,
10:06taking Effie's cold hands
10:08in his,
10:09with a smile like sunshine,
10:11while every holly berry
10:12glowed like a little fire.
10:15Do you know me?
10:17asked Effie,
10:18feeling no fear,
10:19but a great gladness
10:21at his coming.
10:22I know all children,
10:24and go to find them,
10:25for this is my holiday,
10:27and I gather them
10:28from all parts of the world
10:29to be merry with me
10:30once a year.
10:31Are you an angel?
10:33asked Effie,
10:35looking for the wings.
10:35No,
10:36I am a Christmas spirit,
10:40and live with my mates
10:41in a pleasant place,
10:42getting ready for our holiday,
10:44when we are let out
10:45to roam about the world,
10:47helping make this
10:48a happy time
10:49for all who will let us in.
10:51Will you come
10:52and see how we work?
10:54I will go anywhere with you.
10:56Don't leave me again,
10:58cried Effie,
10:59gladly.
11:00First,
11:00I will make you comfortable.
11:02That is what we love to do.
11:04You are cold,
11:05and you shall be warm,
11:07hungry,
11:08and I will feed you sorrowful,
11:09and I will make you gay.
11:12With a wave of his candle,
11:14all three miracles were wrought,
11:16for the snowflakes
11:17turned to a white fur cloak
11:19and hood
11:19on Effie's head and shoulders.
11:21A bowl of hot soup
11:22came sailing to her lips,
11:24and vanished
11:25when she had eagerly
11:26drunk the last drop,
11:27and suddenly,
11:28the dismal field
11:30changed to a new world,
11:31so full of wonders
11:33that all her troubles
11:34were forgotten in a minute.
11:37Bells were ringing
11:38so merrily
11:39that it was hard
11:40to keep from dancing.
11:42Green garlands
11:43hung on the walls,
11:44and every tree
11:45was a Christmas tree
11:46full of toys,
11:48and blazing with candles
11:50that never went out.
11:52In one place,
11:53many little spirits
11:55sewed like mad
11:56on warm clothes,
11:58turning off work
11:59faster than any sewing machine
12:00ever invented.
12:01And great piles
12:03were made ready
12:04to be sent
12:04to poor people.
12:07Other busy creatures
12:08packed money
12:08into purses
12:09and wrote checks
12:11which they sent
12:12flying away
12:12on the wind.
12:14A lovely kind
12:15of snowstorm
12:16to fall into a world
12:17below full of poverty.
12:20Older and graver
12:21spirits were looking
12:22over piles
12:22of little books,
12:24in which the records
12:25of the past year
12:26were kept,
12:27telling how different
12:28people had spent it,
12:29and what sort
12:30of gifts
12:30they deserved.
12:32Some got peace,
12:34some disappointment,
12:35some remorse
12:36and sorrow,
12:37some great joy
12:39and hope.
12:40The rich had
12:41generous thoughts
12:42sent them,
12:43the poor,
12:44gratitude and contentment.
12:46Children had more love
12:47and duty to parents,
12:49and parents renewed
12:50patience,
12:52wisdom and satisfaction
12:53for and in
12:55their children.
12:57No one was forgotten.
12:58Please tell me
13:00what splendid place
13:01this is,
13:02asked Effie,
13:04as soon as she could
13:05collect her wits
13:05after the first look
13:07at all these
13:07astonishing things.
13:09This is the Christmas world,
13:12and here we work
13:12all the year round,
13:14never tired of getting ready
13:15for the happy day.
13:17See,
13:18these are the saints
13:19just setting off,
13:21for some have far to go,
13:22and the children
13:23must not be disappointed.
13:24As he spoke,
13:28the spirit pointed
13:29to four gates,
13:30out of which
13:31four great sleighs
13:32were just driving,
13:34laden with toys,
13:36while a jolly old
13:37Santa Claus
13:37sat in the middle of each,
13:39drawing on his mittens
13:41and tucking up his wraps
13:42for a long, cold drive.
13:44Why,
13:45I thought there was
13:46only one Santa Claus
13:48and even he was a humbug,
13:50cried Effie,
13:51astonished at the sight.
13:53Never give up
13:54your faith
13:55in the sweet old stones,
13:57even after you come
13:58to see that they are
13:59only the pleasant shadow
14:00of a lovely truth.
14:03Just then,
14:04the sleighs went off
14:06with a great jingling
14:07of bells
14:07and pattering
14:08of reindeer hooves,
14:10while all the spirits
14:11gave a cheer
14:12that was heard
14:13in the lower world,
14:14where people said,
14:16Hear the stars sing.
14:18I never will say
14:20there isn't any
14:20Santa Claus again.
14:22Now,
14:23show me more.
14:25You will like
14:26to see this place,
14:27I think,
14:28and may learn
14:29something here,
14:29perhaps.
14:31The spirit smiled
14:32as he led the way
14:33to a little door
14:34through which
14:35Effie peeped
14:36into a world
14:37of dolls.
14:39Baby houses
14:39were in full blast,
14:41with dolls
14:42of all sorts
14:42going on
14:43like live people.
14:45Waxen ladies
14:46sat in their parlours
14:47elegantly dressed,
14:49black dolls
14:50cooked in the kitchens,
14:51nurses walked out
14:52with the bits
14:53of dollies,
14:54and the streets
14:55were full of
14:55tin soldiers
14:56marching,
14:57wooden horses
14:58prancing,
14:59express wagons
15:00rumbling,
15:01and little men
15:02hurrying to and fro.
15:04Shops were there,
15:06and tiny people
15:07buying legs of mutton,
15:08pounds of tea,
15:09mites of clothes,
15:10and everything dolls
15:12use or wear
15:12or want.
15:13But presently
15:16she saw
15:17that in some ways
15:18the dolls
15:19improved upon
15:20the manners
15:21and customs
15:22of human beings,
15:23and she watched
15:24eagerly to learn
15:26why they did
15:26these things.
15:28A fine
15:29Paris doll
15:30driving in her
15:31carriage
15:32took up
15:33a black
15:33worsted diner
15:34who was hobbling
15:35along with a basket
15:37of clean clothes
15:38and carried her
15:40to her journey's
15:41end
15:41as if it were
15:42the proper thing
15:43to do.
15:45Another interesting
15:46china lady
15:46took off her
15:47comfortable red cloak
15:48and put it round
15:50a poor wooden creature
15:51done up in a paper shift
15:52and so badly painted
15:54that its face
15:56would have sent
15:56some babies
15:57into fits.
15:59Seems to me
16:00I once knew
16:01a rich girl
16:02who didn't give her
16:03things to poor girls.
16:05I wish I could
16:06remember who she was
16:07and tell her to be
16:09as kind as that
16:10china doll.
16:11Said Effie
16:12much touched
16:13at the sweet way
16:14the pretty creature
16:15wrapped up
16:16the poor fright
16:17and then ran off
16:18in her little grey gown
16:20to buy a shiny fowl
16:21stuck on a wooden platter
16:23for her invalid
16:24mother's dinner.
16:26We recall these things
16:28to people's minds
16:29by dreams.
16:31I think the girl
16:32you speak of
16:33won't forget this one.
16:35And the spirit smiled
16:37as if he enjoyed
16:38some joke
16:39which she did not see.
16:41A little bell rang
16:43as she looked
16:44and away
16:45scampered the children
16:46into the red
16:47and green schoolhouse
16:49with the roof
16:50that lifted up
16:51so one could see
16:53how nicely
16:53they sat at their desks
16:55with mites of books
16:56or drew on the inch
16:58square blackboards
16:59with crumbs of chalk.
17:01They know their lessons
17:03very well
17:04and are as still
17:05as mice.
17:06We make a great racket
17:08at our school
17:09and get bad marks
17:10every day.
17:12I shall tell the girls
17:13they had better mind
17:14what they do
17:14or their dolls
17:16will be better scholars
17:17than they are
17:18said Effie
17:19much impressed
17:20as she peeped in
17:22and saw no rod
17:23in the hand
17:24of the little mistress
17:25who looked up
17:26and shook her head
17:27at the intruder
17:28as if begging her
17:29to go away
17:30before the order
17:31of the school
17:31was disturbed.
17:34Effie retired
17:34at once
17:35but could not resist
17:37one look in
17:38at the window
17:38of a fine mansion
17:39where the family
17:41were at dinner.
17:42The children behaved
17:43so well at table
17:45and never grumbled a bit
17:47when their mama
17:47said they could not
17:48have any more fruit.
17:51Now,
17:51show me something else
17:53she said
17:54as they came again
17:55to the low door
17:56that led out
17:57of Dollland.
17:59You have seen
18:00how we prepare
18:00for Christmas
18:01Let me show you
18:03where we love best
18:04to send our good
18:05and happy gifts
18:06answered the spirit
18:08giving her his hand again.
18:10I know
18:11I've seen ever so many
18:12began Effie
18:13thinking of her own Christmases.
18:16No,
18:17you have never seen
18:18what I will show you.
18:19Come away
18:20and remember
18:21what you see tonight.
18:23Like a flash
18:24that bright world vanished
18:26and Effie found herself
18:28in a part of the city
18:29she had never seen before.
18:31It was far away
18:33from the gayer places
18:34where every store
18:36was brilliant
18:36with lights
18:37and full of pretty things
18:39and every house
18:41wore a festival air
18:42while people hurried
18:44to and fro
18:44with merry greetings.
18:47It was down
18:48among the dingy streets
18:49where the poor lived
18:50and where there was
18:52no making ready
18:53for Christmas.
18:55Hungry women
18:56looked in
18:56at the shabby shops
18:57longing to buy meat
18:58and bread
18:59but empty pockets
19:00forbade.
19:02Tipsy men
19:02drank up their wages
19:03in the bar rooms
19:04and in many
19:06cold dark chambers
19:07little children
19:08huddled under
19:08the thin blankets
19:09trying to forget
19:10their misery
19:11in sleep.
19:13No nice dinners
19:14filled the air
19:15with savoury smells.
19:17No gay trees
19:18dropped toys
19:19and bonbons
19:20into eager hands.
19:21No little stockings
19:23hung in rows
19:24beside the chimney piece
19:25ready to be filled.
19:26No happy sounds
19:28of music
19:29gay voices
19:30and dancing feet
19:31were heard
19:31and there were
19:33no signs of Christmas
19:34anywhere.
19:37Don't they have
19:38any in this place?
19:40asked Effie
19:40shivering
19:41as she held fast
19:43the spirit's hand
19:44following where
19:45he led her.
19:46We come to bring it.
19:48Let me show you
19:49our best workers.
19:51And the spirit
19:52pointed to some
19:53sweet-faced men
19:54and women
19:54who came stealing
19:55into the poor houses
19:56working such
19:57beautiful miracles
19:58that Effie could only
19:59stand and watch.
20:01Some slipped money
20:02into the empty pockets
20:04and sent the happy mothers
20:05to buy all the comforts
20:07they needed.
20:08Others led the drunken men
20:10out of temptation
20:11and took them home
20:13to find safer pleasures there.
20:16Fires were kindled
20:17on cold hearths.
20:19Tables spread
20:20as if by magic
20:21and warm clothes
20:23wrapped round
20:24shivering limbs.
20:26Flowers suddenly
20:27bloomed in the chambers
20:28of the sick.
20:30Old people
20:31found themselves
20:32remembered.
20:33Sad hearts
20:34were consoled
20:35by a tender word
20:36and wicked ones
20:37softened
20:38by the story
20:39of him
20:39who forgave all sin.
20:41But the sweetest work
20:43was for the children
20:44and Effie
20:45held her breath
20:46to watch
20:47these human fairies
20:48hang up
20:50and fill
20:50the little stockings
20:52without which
20:53a child's Christmas
20:55is not perfect.
20:57Putting in things
20:58that once
20:59she would have thought
21:00very humble presents
21:01but which now
21:02seemed beautiful
21:03and precious
21:04because these poor babies
21:06had nothing.
21:08That is so beautiful.
21:11I wish I could make
21:12merry Christmases
21:13as these good people do
21:15and be loved
21:17and thanked
21:17as they are
21:18said Effie
21:20softly
21:21as she watched
21:22the busy men and women
21:23do their work
21:23and steal away
21:24without thinking
21:25of any reward
21:26but their own satisfaction.
21:29You can if you will.
21:31I have shown you the way.
21:33Try it
21:34and see how happy
21:35your own holiday
21:36will be hereafter.
21:38As he spoke
21:39the spirit seemed
21:40to put his arms
21:41about her
21:42and vanished
21:43with a kiss.
21:43Oh, stay
21:46and show me more
21:47cried Effie
21:48trying to hold him fast.
21:51Darling, wake up
21:52and tell me
21:53why you are smiling
21:54in your sleep
21:55said a voice
21:56in her ear
21:56and opening her eyes
21:58there was Mama
21:59bending over her
22:01and morning sunshine
22:02streaming into the room.
22:06Are they all gone?
22:08Did you hear the bells?
22:09Wasn't it splendid?
22:12She asked
22:13rubbing her eyes
22:14and looking about her
22:15for the pretty child
22:16who was so real
22:17and sweet.
22:19You have been dreaming
22:21at a great rate
22:22talking in your sleep
22:23laughing
22:24and clapping your hands
22:26as if you were
22:26cheering someone.
22:29Tell me
22:29what was so splendid
22:31said Mama
22:32smoothing the tumbled hair
22:34and lifting up
22:35the sleepy head.
22:36Then, while she was
22:39being dressed
22:40Effie told her dream
22:42and Nursie
22:44thought it very wonderful
22:45but Mama smiled
22:47to see how curiously
22:48things the child
22:49had thought
22:50read
22:51heard
22:51and seen
22:52through the day
22:53were mixed up
22:54in her sleep.
22:56The spirit said
22:57I could work
22:57lovely miracles
22:58if I tried
22:59but I don't know
23:01how to begin
23:01for I have no magic candle
23:03to make feasts appear
23:04and light up groves
23:05of Christmas trees
23:06as he did
23:07said Effie
23:08sorrowfully.
23:10Yes you have
23:11we will do it
23:12we will do it
23:13and clapping her hands
23:15Mama suddenly
23:16began to dance
23:17all over the room
23:18as if she had
23:20lost her wits.
23:21How?
23:22How?
23:23You must tell me Mama
23:24cried Effie
23:26dancing after her
23:27and ready to believe
23:29anything possible
23:30when she remembered
23:31the adventures
23:31of the past night.
23:33I've got it!
23:34I've got it!
23:36The new idea!
23:38A splendid one
23:39if I can only
23:40carry it out!
23:42And Mama
23:43waltzed the little girl
23:44round
23:45till her curls
23:46flew wildly
23:46in the air
23:47while Nursie
23:48laughed as if
23:49she would die.
23:50Tell me!
23:51Tell me!
23:52shrieked Effie.
23:54No, no
23:55it is a surprise
23:56a grand surprise
23:57for Christmas Day
23:59sung Mama
24:00evidently charmed
24:01with her happy thought.
24:03Now
24:03come to breakfast
24:04for we must
24:05work like bees
24:06if we want
24:07to play spirits
24:08tomorrow.
24:09You and Nursie
24:10will go out
24:10shopping
24:11and get heaps
24:11of things
24:12while I
24:13arrange matters
24:14behind the scenes.
24:16They were running
24:17downstairs
24:17as Mama spoke
24:18and Effie
24:19called out
24:20breathlessly.
24:21It won't be a surprise
24:23for I know
24:24you are going to
24:25ask some poor
24:25children here
24:26and have a tree
24:27or something.
24:28It won't be like
24:29my dream
24:30for they had
24:31ever so many
24:32trees
24:32and more
24:33children
24:33than we
24:34can find
24:34anywhere.
24:36There will be
24:36no tree
24:37no party
24:39no dinner
24:40in this house
24:41at all
24:41and no presents
24:43for you.
24:44Won't that be
24:44a surprise?
24:46And Mama
24:47laughed at
24:47Effie's
24:48bewildered face.
24:50Do it
24:50I shall like it
24:51I think
24:52and I won't
24:53ask any questions
24:54so it will all
24:55burst upon me
24:56when the time
24:56comes
24:57she said
24:58and she ate
24:59her breakfast
25:00thoughtfully
25:00for this really
25:02would be
25:02a new sort
25:03of Christmas.
25:05All that morning
25:06Effie trotted
25:07after Nursey
25:07in and out
25:08of shops
25:08buying dozens
25:09of barking
25:10dogs
25:11woolly lambs
25:12and squeaking
25:12birds
25:13tiny tea sets
25:14gay picture books
25:16mittens
25:17and hoods
25:18dolls
25:19and candy
25:19parcel after parcel
25:21was sent home
25:22but when Effie
25:23returned she saw
25:24no trace of them
25:24though she peeped
25:25everywhere.
25:27Nursey chuckled
25:28but wouldn't
25:29give a hint
25:29and went out
25:30again in the
25:31afternoon with
25:31a long list
25:32of more things
25:33to buy
25:33while Effie
25:35wandered
25:35forlornly
25:36about the
25:36house
25:37missing the
25:38usual merry
25:38stir that
25:39went before
25:40the Christmas
25:40dinner
25:41and the
25:41evening fun.
25:44As for
25:44Mama
25:44she was quite
25:46invisible all
25:46day
25:47and came in
25:48at night
25:48so tired
25:49that she could
25:50only lie
25:51on the sofa
25:51to rest
25:52smiling
25:53as if
25:54some very
25:54pleasant thought
25:55made her
25:56happy
25:56in spite
25:57of
25:57weariness.
25:59Is the
26:00surprise
26:00going on
26:01all right?
26:02asked Effie
26:03anxiously
26:04for it
26:05seemed
26:05an immense
26:06time
26:06to wait
26:06till another
26:07evening
26:07came.
26:09Beautifully
26:10better
26:11than I
26:11expected
26:12for several
26:14of my
26:14good friends
26:15are helping
26:15or I
26:16couldn't
26:16have done
26:17it as I
26:17wish.
26:19I know
26:19you will
26:19like it
26:20dear
26:20and long
26:21remember
26:22this new
26:22way of
26:23making
26:23Christmas
26:24merry.
26:24Mama
26:26gave her
26:26a very
26:27tender
26:27kiss
26:28and Effie
26:29went to
26:29bed.
26:31The next
26:32day was
26:32a very
26:33strange
26:33one
26:34for when
26:35she woke
26:35there was
26:36no stocking
26:37to examine
26:37no pile
26:38of gifts
26:39under her
26:39napkin
26:40no one
26:41said
26:41Merry
26:42Christmas
26:42to her
26:43and the
26:44dinner
26:44was just
26:45as usual
26:46to her.
26:48Mama
26:48vanished
26:49again
26:49and
26:50Nursie
26:50kept
26:50wiping
26:51her eyes
26:52and saying
26:52the
26:53dear
26:53things
26:54it's
26:55the
26:55prettiest
26:55idea
26:56I
26:56ever
26:56heard
26:57of
26:57no one
26:58but
26:58your
26:58blessed
26:59Ma
26:59could
26:59have
26:59done
27:00it.
27:01Do
27:01stop
27:02Nursie
27:03or I
27:03shall
27:03go
27:04crazy
27:04because
27:05I
27:05don't
27:05know
27:05the
27:05secret
27:06cried
27:07Effie
27:07more
27:08than
27:08once
27:08and
27:09she
27:09kept
27:10her
27:10eye
27:10on
27:10the
27:10clock
27:11for
27:11at
27:12seven
27:12in
27:12the
27:12evening
27:13the
27:13surprise
27:14was
27:14to
27:14come
27:15off.
27:16The
27:16longed
27:17for
27:17hour
27:17arrived
27:18at
27:18last
27:19and
27:20the
27:20child
27:20was
27:20too
27:20excited
27:21to
27:21ask
27:22questions
27:22when
27:23nurse
27:24put
27:24on
27:24her
27:24cloak
27:24and
27:25hood
27:25led
27:25her
27:26to
27:26the
27:26carriage
27:26and
27:27they
27:27drove
27:27away
27:28leaving
27:29their
27:29house
27:29the
27:30one
27:30dark
27:31and
27:31silent
27:32one
27:32in
27:32the
27:32row.
27:34I
27:34feel
27:35like
27:35the
27:35girls
27:36in
27:36the
27:36fairy
27:37tales
27:37who
27:38are
27:38led
27:38off
27:38to
27:39strange
27:39places
27:40and
27:40see
27:41fine
27:41things
27:42said
27:43Effie
27:43in
27:44a
27:44whisper
27:44as
27:45they
27:45jingled
27:45through
27:46the
27:46gay
27:46streets
27:47ah
27:48my
27:48dearie
27:49it
27:50is
27:50like
27:50a
27:50fairy
27:51tale
27:51I
27:52do
27:52assure
27:53you
27:53and
27:54you
27:54will
27:54see
27:54finer
27:55things
27:55than
27:55most
27:55children
27:56will
27:56tonight
27:57steady
27:58now
27:58and
27:59do
27:59just
27:59as
27:59I
28:00tell
28:00you
28:00and
28:01don't
28:01say
28:01one
28:01word
28:02whatever
28:02you
28:02see
28:02answered
28:03Nursie
28:04quite
28:04quivering
28:05with
28:05excitement
28:06as
28:06she
28:06patted
28:07a
28:07large
28:07box
28:08in
28:08her
28:08lap
28:08and
28:09nodded
28:09and
28:09laughed
28:10with
28:10twinkling
28:11eyes
28:11they
28:12drove
28:13into
28:13a
28:13dark
28:13yard
28:14and
28:15Effie
28:15was led
28:15through
28:16a
28:16back
28:16door
28:16to
28:16a
28:17little
28:17room
28:17where
28:18nurse
28:18coolly
28:19proceeded
28:19to
28:19take
28:20off
28:20not
28:20only
28:20her
28:21cloak
28:21and
28:21hood
28:21but
28:22her
28:22dress
28:23and
28:23shoes
28:23also
28:24Effie
28:25stared
28:25and
28:26bit
28:26her
28:26lips
28:26but
28:27kept
28:28still
28:28until
28:29out
28:29of
28:29the
28:29box
28:29came
28:30a
28:30little
28:31white
28:31fur
28:31coat
28:31and
28:32boots
28:32a
28:33wreath
28:33of
28:33holly
28:34leaves
28:34and
28:34berries
28:34and
28:35a
28:35candle
28:36with
28:36a
28:36frill
28:36of
28:37gold
28:37paper
28:37round
28:38it
28:38a
28:39long
28:39oh
28:40escaped
28:45exclaiming
28:46why
28:47nursey
28:48I
28:49look
28:49like
28:49the
28:49spirit
28:50in
28:50my
28:50dream
28:51so
28:53you
28:53do
28:53and
28:54that's
28:54the
28:54part
28:54you
28:55are
28:55to
28:55play
28:55my
28:56pretty
28:56now
28:57whist
28:58while
28:58I
28:59blind
28:59your
28:59eyes
29:00and
29:00put
29:00you
29:00in
29:00your
29:01place
29:01shall
29:04I
29:04be
29:05afraid
29:05whispered
29:06Effie
29:06full
29:07of
29:07wonder
29:08for
29:09as
29:09they
29:09went
29:09out
29:09she
29:10heard
29:10the
29:11sound
29:11of
29:11many
29:11voices
29:12the
29:13tramp
29:13of
29:13many
29:13feet
29:14and
29:15in
29:15spite
29:16of
29:16the
29:16bandage
29:16was
29:17sure
29:18a
29:18great
29:18light
29:19shone
29:19upon
29:19her
29:19when
29:20she
29:20stopped
29:20you
29:22needn't
29:22be
29:22I
29:23shall
29:24stand
29:24close
29:24by
29:25and
29:25your
29:26ma
29:26will
29:26be
29:26there
29:27after
29:29the
29:29handkerchief
29:29was tied
29:30about
29:30her
29:30eyes
29:31nurse
29:32led
29:32Effie
29:32up
29:33some
29:33steps
29:33and
29:34placed
29:35her
29:35on
29:35a
29:35high
29:35platform
29:36where
29:37something
29:37like
29:38leaves
29:38touched
29:39her
29:39head
29:39and
29:40the
29:40soft
29:40snap
29:41of
29:41lamps
29:41seemed
29:42to
29:42fill
29:42the
29:42air
29:42music
29:44began
29:44as
29:44soon
29:44as
29:44nurse
29:45clapped
29:45her
29:45hands
29:46the
29:46voices
29:46outside
29:47sounded
29:47nearer
29:48and
29:49the
29:49tramp
29:49was
29:49evidently
29:50coming
29:50up
29:50the
29:50stairs
29:51now
29:52my
29:52precious
29:53look
29:54and
29:54see
29:54how
29:54you
29:55and
29:55your
29:55dear
29:55ma
29:56have
29:56made
29:56a
29:57merry
29:57Christmas
29:57for
29:58them
29:58that
29:58needed
29:59it
29:59off
30:01went
30:01the
30:01bandage
30:02and
30:03for
30:03a
30:03minute
30:03Effie
30:04really
30:05did
30:05think
30:05she
30:06was
30:06asleep
30:06again
30:07for
30:07she
30:07actually
30:08stood
30:08in
30:09a
30:09grove
30:09of
30:10Christmas
30:10trees
30:11all
30:11gay
30:12and
30:12shining
30:14twelve
30:15on a
30:15side
30:16in
30:16two
30:16rows
30:17down
30:17the
30:17room
30:18stood
30:18the
30:18little
30:19pines
30:19each
30:20on
30:20its
30:20low
30:20table
30:21and
30:22behind
30:22Effie
30:23a
30:23taller
30:24one
30:24rose
30:24to
30:24the
30:24roof
30:25hung
30:26with
30:26wreaths
30:26of
30:26popcorn
30:27apples
30:28oranges
30:29horns
30:30of
30:30candy
30:30and
30:31cakes
30:32of
30:32all
30:32sorts
30:33from
30:33sugary
30:34hearts
30:34to
30:34gingerbread
30:35jumbos
30:36on
30:37the
30:37smaller
30:38trees
30:38she
30:39saw
30:39many
30:39of
30:39her
30:40own
30:40discarded
30:40toys
30:41and
30:42those
30:42nurse
30:42bought
30:43as well
30:44as heaps
30:44that seemed
30:45to have
30:45rained down
30:46straight
30:46from that
30:47delightful
30:47Christmas
30:48country
30:48where she
30:49felt as if
30:50she was
30:50again
30:50how splendid
30:52who is it
30:53for
30:54what is that
30:54noise
30:55where is
30:56mama
30:56cried
30:58Effie
30:58pale with
30:59pleasure
30:59and surprise
31:00as she stood
31:01looking down
31:02the brilliant
31:02little street
31:03from her
31:04high place
31:05before nurse
31:08could answer
31:08the doors
31:09at the lower
31:10end flew
31:10open
31:11and
31:12in
31:12marched
31:12twenty-four
31:13little
31:14blue-gowned
31:15orphan
31:15girls
31:16singing
31:17sweetly
31:17until
31:18amazement
31:19changed
31:19the song
31:20to cries
31:20of joy
31:21and wonder
31:22as the
31:22shining
31:23spectacle
31:24appeared
31:24while they
31:26stood
31:26staring
31:27with round
31:28eyes
31:28at the
31:29wilderness
31:29of pretty
31:30things
31:30about
31:30them
31:31mama
31:32stepped
31:32up
31:32beside
31:33Effie
31:33and
31:34holding
31:34her hand
31:35fast
31:35to give
31:36her
31:36courage
31:36told
31:37the story
31:38of the
31:38dream
31:38in a few
31:39simple
31:40words
31:40ending
31:42in this
31:42way
31:43so
31:45my little
31:45girl
31:46wanted to
31:46be a
31:47christmas
31:47spirit
31:47too
31:48and make
31:49this a
31:49happy day
31:50for those
31:50who had
31:51not as
31:51many
31:51pleasures
31:52and comforts
31:53as she
31:53has
31:53she likes
31:55surprises
31:55and we
31:56planned this
31:57for you
31:57all
31:58she shall
31:59play the
31:59good fairy
32:00and give
32:01each of you
32:01something
32:02from this
32:02tree
32:03after which
32:04everyone
32:05will find
32:05her own
32:06name
32:06on a
32:06small
32:07tree
32:07and can
32:08go to
32:08enjoy it
32:09in her
32:09own
32:09way
32:10march
32:11by
32:11my
32:12dears
32:12and let
32:13us
32:13fill
32:13your
32:14hands
32:14nobody
32:16told
32:16them
32:16to
32:16do
32:16it
32:17but
32:18all
32:18the
32:18hands
32:18were
32:18clapped
32:19heartily
32:19before
32:20a single
32:20child
32:21stirred
32:21then
32:23one
32:23by
32:23one
32:23they
32:24came
32:24to
32:24look
32:24up
32:25wonderingly
32:26at
32:26the
32:26pretty
32:26giver
32:27of
32:27the
32:27feast
32:28as
32:28she
32:28leaned
32:29down
32:29to
32:29offer
32:30them
32:30great
32:31yellow
32:31oranges
32:31red
32:32apples
32:33bunches
32:34of
32:34grapes
32:34bonbons
32:35and
32:36cakes
32:36till
32:37all
32:37were
32:37gone
32:37and
32:38a
32:38double
32:39row
32:39of
32:39smiling
32:40faces
32:40turned
32:41toward
32:41her
32:42as
32:42the
32:43children
32:43filed
32:43back
32:44to
32:44their
32:44places
32:44in
32:45the
32:45orderly
32:46way
32:46they
32:46had
32:46been
32:47taught
32:47then
32:49each
32:49was led
32:50to her
32:50own
32:51tree
32:51by the
32:51good
32:51ladies
32:52who
32:52had
32:52helped
32:53mama
32:53with
32:53all
32:53their
32:54hearts
32:54and
32:55the
32:55happy
32:56hubbub
32:56that
32:56arose
32:57would
32:57have
32:57satisfied
32:58even
32:58santa
32:58claus
32:59himself
33:00shrieks
33:01of
33:01joy
33:02dances
33:03of
33:03delight
33:03laughter
33:04and
33:04tears
33:05for
33:06some
33:06tender
33:07little
33:07things
33:07could
33:08not
33:08bear
33:08so
33:08much
33:08pleasure
33:09at
33:09once
33:09and
33:10sobbed
33:11with
33:11mouths
33:11full
33:11of
33:12candy
33:12and
33:12hands
33:13full
33:13of
33:13toys
33:13how
33:15they
33:15ran
33:15to
33:16show
33:16one
33:16another
33:17the
33:17new
33:17treasures
33:18how
33:19they
33:19peeped
33:20and
33:20tasted
33:20pulled
33:21and
33:21pinched
33:22until
33:23the
33:23air
33:23was
33:23full
33:23of
33:24queer
33:24noises
33:24the
33:25floor
33:25covered
33:26with
33:26papers
33:26and
33:27the
33:27little
33:27trees
33:28left
33:28bare
33:28of
33:29all
33:29but
33:29candles
33:30I
33:33don't
33:33think
33:34heaven
33:34can
33:34be
33:34any
33:34gooder
33:35than
33:35this
33:35sighed
33:36one
33:36small
33:37girl
33:37as
33:38she
33:38looked
33:38about
33:38her
33:38in
33:39a
33:39blissful
33:39maze
33:40holding
33:40her
33:40full
33:41apron
33:41with
33:41one
33:42hand
33:42while
33:42she
33:43luxuriously
33:43carried
33:44sugar
33:44plums
33:45to
33:45her
33:45mouth
33:45with
33:46the
33:46other
33:46is
33:47that
33:47a
33:48truly
33:48angel
33:48up
33:48there
33:49asked
33:50another
33:50fascinated
33:52by the
33:52little
33:52white
33:53figure
33:53with
33:53the
33:53wreath
33:54on
33:54its
33:54shining
33:54hair
33:55who
33:56in
33:56some
33:56mysterious
33:56way
33:57had
33:58been
33:58the
33:58cause
33:59of
33:59all
33:59this
33:59merrymaking
34:00I
34:02wish
34:02I
34:02dared
34:02to
34:02go
34:03and
34:03kiss
34:03her
34:03for
34:03this
34:03splendid
34:04party
34:05said
34:06a
34:06lame
34:06child
34:07leaning
34:08on
34:08her
34:08crutch
34:08as
34:09she
34:09stood
34:10near
34:10the
34:10steps
34:10wondering
34:11how
34:11it
34:12seemed
34:12to
34:12sit
34:12in
34:12a
34:13mother's
34:13lap
34:13as
34:14Effie
34:14was
34:14doing
34:15while
34:15she
34:16watched
34:16the
34:16happy
34:16scene
34:17before
34:17her
34:18Effie
34:19heard
34:19her
34:19and
34:20remembering
34:20tiny
34:21Tim
34:21ran
34:22down
34:22and put
34:23her
34:23arms
34:23about
34:24the
34:24pale
34:24child
34:25kissing
34:25the
34:25wistful
34:26face
34:26as
34:27she
34:27said
34:27sweetly
34:28you
34:29may
34:29but
34:30Mama
34:30deserves
34:30the
34:31thanks
34:31she
34:32did
34:32it
34:32all
34:33I
34:33only
34:34dreamed
34:34about
34:34it
34:35lame
34:36Katie
34:37felt
34:37as
34:37if
34:37a
34:38truly
34:38angel
34:39was
34:40embracing
34:40her
34:41and
34:41could
34:41only
34:42stammer
34:42out
34:42her
34:43thanks
34:43while
34:44the
34:44other
34:44children
34:44ran
34:45to
34:45see
34:45the
34:45pretty
34:46spirit
34:46and
34:47touch
34:47her
34:47soft
34:47dress
34:48until
34:49she
34:49stood
34:49in
34:50a
34:50crowd
34:50of
34:50blue
34:51gowns
34:51laughing
34:52as
34:52they
34:52held
34:52up
34:53their
34:53gifts
34:53for
34:53her
34:54to
34:54see
34:54and
34:54admire
34:57and
34:57whispered
34:58one
34:58word
34:58to
34:58the
34:58older
34:59girls
34:59and
35:00suddenly
35:00they
35:01all
35:01took
35:01hands
35:01to
35:02dance
35:02round
35:02Effie
35:03singing
35:03as
35:04they
35:04skipped
35:04it
35:06was
35:06a
35:06pretty
35:06sight
35:07and
35:07the
35:07ladies
35:08found
35:08it
35:08hard
35:09to
35:09break
35:09up
35:09the
35:09happy
35:10revel
35:10but
35:11it
35:11was
35:11late
35:12for
35:12small
35:12people
35:13and
35:14too
35:14much
35:14fun
35:15is
35:15a
35:15mistake
35:15so
35:17the
35:17girls
35:17fell
35:18into
35:18line
35:18and
35:19marched
35:19before
35:20Effie
35:20and
35:20Mama
35:21again
35:21to
35:22say
35:22good
35:22night
35:23with
35:23such
35:23grateful
35:27grew
35:28dim
35:28with
35:28tears
35:29Mama
35:30kissed
35:31everyone
35:31and
35:32many
35:32a
35:33hungry
35:33childish
35:34heart
35:34felt
35:35as if
35:35the
35:35touch
35:36of
35:36those
35:36tender
35:36lips
35:37was
35:37their
35:37best
35:38gift
35:38Effie
35:40shook
35:40so
35:41many
35:41small
35:41hands
35:42that
35:42her
35:42own
35:43tingled
35:43and
35:44when
35:44Katie
35:44came
35:45she
35:45pressed
35:46a
35:46small
35:46doll
35:46into
35:47Effie's
35:47hand
35:48whispering
35:48you
35:49didn't
35:49have
35:50a
35:50single
35:50present
35:51and
35:51we
35:51had
35:51lots
35:52do
35:52keep
35:52that
35:53it's
35:53the
35:54prettiest
35:54thing
35:54I
35:54got
35:55I
35:57will
35:57answered
35:58Effie
35:59and
36:00held
36:00it
36:00fast
36:00until
36:01the
36:01last
36:01smiling
36:02face
36:02was
36:02gone
36:03the
36:03surprise
36:04all
36:04over
36:04and
36:05she
36:05safe
36:05in
36:06her
36:06own
36:06bed
36:06too
36:07tired
36:08and
36:08happy
36:08for
36:08anything
36:09but
36:09sleep
36:09Mama
36:11it
36:12was
36:12a
36:12beautiful
36:13surprise
36:13and
36:14I
36:14thank
36:14you
36:14so
36:15much
36:15I
36:16don't
36:16see
36:16how
36:16you
36:16did
36:17it
36:17but
36:17I
36:18like
36:18it
36:18best
36:18of
36:18all
36:19the
36:19Christmases
36:19I
36:19ever
36:20had
36:20and
36:21mean
36:21to
36:21make
36:21one
36:21every
36:21year
36:22I
36:22had
36:23my
36:23splendid
36:23big
36:24present
36:24and
36:25here
36:25is
36:25the
36:25dear
36:25little
36:26one
36:26to
36:26keep
36:26for
36:26love
36:27of
36:27poor
36:27Katie
36:27so
36:28even
36:29that
36:29part
36:29of
36:29my
36:29wish
36:30came
36:30true
36:30and
36:31Effie
36:32fell
36:32asleep
36:32with
36:32a
36:32happy
36:33smile
36:33on
36:33her
36:33lips
36:34her
36:34one
36:35humble
36:35gift
36:36still
36:36in
36:36her
36:37hand
36:37and
36:38a
36:38new
36:38love
36:39for
36:39Christmas
36:39in
36:39her
36:40heart
36:40that
36:41never
36:41changed
36:42through
36:42a
36:42long
36:42life
36:43spent
36:44in
36:44doing
36:44good
36:45thank you
36:49for listening
36:50to this
36:50story
36:51we hope
36:51you
36:51enjoyed
36:52it
36:52if
36:52you'd
36:53like
36:53to
36:53hear
36:53more
36:53hit
36:54subscribe
36:54give us
36:55a
36:55thumbs
36:55up
36:56and
36:56share
36:56your
36:56thoughts
36:56in
36:57the
36:57comments
36:57your
36:58support
36:58really
36:59motivates
36:59us
37:00to keep
37:00creating
37:00more
37:01audiobooks
37:02see you
37:02soon
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