IfullyexpectedtofindaConstableinthekitchen, , , andJoehadbeenputuponthekitchendoor-steptokeephimoutofthedustpan—anarticleintowhichhisdestinyalwaysledhimsoonerorlater, whenmysisterwasvigorouslyreapingthefloorsofherestablishment.

“Andwherethedeuceha’ youbeen?” ’sChristmassalutation, whenIandmyconscienceshowedourselves.

IsaidIhadbeendowntoheartheCarols.“Ah! well!” .“Youmightha’ doneworse.” Notadoubtofthat, Ithought.

“PerhapsifIwarn’tablacksmith’swife, and (what’sthesamething) aslavewithherapronneveroffIshouldhavebeentoheartheCarols,” .“I’mratherpartialtoCarols, myself, andthat’sthebestofreasonsformyneverhearingany.”

Joe, whohadventuredintothekitchenaftermeasthedustpanhadretiredbeforeus, , and, whenhereyeswerewithdrawn, secretlycrossedhistwoforefingers, andexhibitedthemtome, , thatJoeandIwouldoften, forweekstogether, be, astoourfingers, likemonumentalCrusadersastotheirlegs.

Weweretohaveasuperbdinner, consistingofalegofpickledporkandgreens, -piehadbeenmadeyesterdaymorning (whichaccountedforthemincemeatnotbeingmissed), ; “forIan’t,” , “Ian’tagoingtohavenoformalcrammingandbustingandwashingupnow, withwhatI’vegotbeforeme, Ipromiseyou!”