30 - and again
"During the last verse a chiming of bells was heard, and the children came trooping down the stairs, singing the first verse again. When they reached the stage they divided, and a fairy-like figure in silver and green floated out from among them. It was Annie-Laurie in a wide ballet dress of frosted fur-dark green. Her bells were around her waist, and she had a wreath of Christmas roses on her hair. Malony as Father Christmas came through the drawing room door at the same moment, while David unseen in the drawing room played the air of their dance upon the piano, and the children, gathered round the real Christmas tree, hummed it very softly. The genius of Annie-Laurie was, as David had said, unforgettable. The comic antics of Father Christmas, the children in the animal costumes, and the brilliantly lighted tree made a bizarre background against which her delicate loveliness drifted like thistledown against the bright colors of a summer day. And it was the thistledown that captured the attention and held it as though with a spell."
Elizabeth Goudge, Pilgrim's Inn
31 - and again
"I think it must be the field mice," replied the Mole, with a touch of pride in his manner. "They go round carol-singing regularly at this time of year. They're quite an institution in these parts. And they never pass me over--they come to Mole End last of all; and I used to give them hot drinks, and supper too sometimes, when I could afford it. It will be like old times to hear them again.""Let's have a look at them!" cried the Rat, jumping up and running to the door.
Kenneth Grahame, Wind in the Willows
32 - and again
"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices."Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
4 comments:
Great books, great quotes!
Christmas stories to help us "keep Christmas."
Reading aloud a Christmas tale is one of my favorite things to do, especially from a book with such pretty pictures as you've shown here, Jodi.
I've got to go blow the dust off my stash of favorites.
"God Bless Us, Every One!"
Joan
Love the quotes and I love the pictures; they all have such a warm, glow to them. You picked very poignant and magical parts of each story.
xo
Very nice selections from a body of works with too many good portions to include in any one place.
I am very glad that you incorporated Wind in the Willows into this post. As Joy writes, it is a magical part of the story, and I love how our family has has sought to recreate the 'dulce domum' of Christmas at Mole End, from Christmas dinners to hosting the field mice all year round.
Great quotes, and of course, the first one is my personal favorite. I knew that one almost by heart.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog!
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