And enjoyment reigned, during those days in
the barn; a gay enjoyment, full of talk and of singing as well
as of feasting; full of laughter and jokes, and full of utmost
good-humour and kindness from one to another. Again, most
unlike a party of Celtic origin. It was enjoyment to me too;
very great; — though dashed continually by the thought how
rare and strange it was to those around me. Only for my sake,
and dependent on my little hand of power; having no guarantee
or security else for its ever coming again. As the holiday
drew near its end, my heart grew sore often at the thought of
all my poor friends going back into their toil, hopeless and
spiritless as it was, without one ray to brighten the whole
year before them till Christmas should come round again. Ay,
and this feeling was quickened every now and then by a word,
or a look, or a tone, which told me that I was not the only
one who remembered it. "Christmas is almos' gone, Tony," I
heard one fine fellow say to another at the end of the third
day; and under the words there was a thread of meaning which
gave a twitch to my heartstrings.
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