"A happy Christmas to you Mrs. Tompkins," chorused three laughing voices. This time it was Jonathan who soundly kissed the lady's cheek. Smiling herself, she returned their greetings and then, fearing for her pudding, quickly closed the door and hurried back to her kitchen.
The Christmas trio charged out the front door, turned smartly toward Great Ormond Street, arm-in-arm, with a sack of gifts, calling Christmas greetings to all they met. Red-cheeked children, muffled to their chins, tugged at their mother's hands and pointed to the trio; visitors and last-minute shoppers smiled their greetings, and the apple-sellers bobbed saucy curtsies in return.
It was a jolly group that marched up the front steps of the Great Ormond Street hospital and swept Matron with them into the first large dining room where the children were all assembled. Young nursing sisters and kitchen staff were clearing the long tables of the breakfast plates, ruffling a head here and patting a cheek there. The young medical staff members walked cheerfully among the children passing out sweets and Christmas crackers. To this group our three young men gravitated, each one given a large tin of assorted confections to hand round.
Drs. Jenner and Nevins were stationed at the end of the long room, flanking the green velvet-covered figure of Father Christmas, who featured a long white beard, red cheeks and a fat mustache, and seated on a gilded throne. Eyes twinkling, he sat surrounding by two dozen huge leather sacks, each stuffed with gaily-wrapped parcels. Albert was struck dumb with awe; Tim and Jonathan stood staring for a long moment and broke out into loud chuckles which they immediately suppressed. They looked at each other and nodded, grinning still. Dr. West made a most impressive Father Christmas! None of the children appeared to recognize Dr. West, and that made the tableau more charming. Father Christmas looked up then, and Matron called the gathering into a seasonal semblance of order which means that some of the noise subsided but all of the wriggling only increased!
The doctors, young and old alike, distributed the parcels to the children, supervised and laughingly directed by Matron. Each child received a small toy appropriate to his or her physical capacity and a warm article of clothing, generally a woolen coat, heavy boots or a knitted cap and warm gloves. The excited faces of the children were payment enough for the time and effort needed to procure all the gifts and wrap all the parcels. It would be impossible to say which group had the happier time that morning, the children or the staff!
Several of the nursing sisters slipped away in the middle of the festivities to help the kitchen staff prepare the Christmas cakes for the children, pudding being deemed too messy. The cakes were carried in on trays, each held aloft by two smiling sisters. Small candles, along with sweet shapes, decorated the tops of the cakes. Oohs and aahs escaped all present, such a sweet picture did the procession make. Two other sisters bore a large punch bowl filled with eggnog for the benefit of the adults at the gathering. Father Christmas stood to make a toast as the glasses were handed round.
As the children nibbled Christmas cake and hugged their gifts to them, the first for many, the adults stood looking around them, filled to overflowing with warm Christmas wishes and magical memories.
Father Christmas waited until all the adults held a glass and then spoke into the sudden quiet, "There is a tenuous magic on Christmas Day each year, but magic it is.
“Our little selves are crowned with the happiness of angels and the fire of divine love. We rejoice in the fullness of the table, the joys of family and the satisfaction of our yearly labors. On no other day in the year do we celebrate with such goodness, such kindness, such forgetfulness of self. We give ourselves to goodwill towards all men and women, and we find that selfsame goodness directed towards ourselves all the day long. It is my wish, and solemn obligation, this day that we all carry this spirit with us all the year long as we combine with our Creator in the care of His children. May God bless you in your efforts." Father Christmas stopped for a moment, a smile lighting his bewhiskered face.
"Happy Christmas to you all, especially to you children, a most Happy Christmas." He lifted his glass; still silent, the other adults raised theirs as well. The children's eyes swept from adult face to adult face, puzzled and pleased at the same time. The big folks looked almost sad, even though it was Christmas Day! The silence reigned for a few moments longer until a small voice asked longingly, "When do I get some Christmas cake?" Laughter rang out from everyone, and the solemn moment of self-evaluation was past.
After the cake was passed round, our ebullient trio, refusing the offer of a portion, made their good-byes and trooped toward the front door, laughing and joking as they went. At the foot of the stairs, Tim announced, "Albert, lead on. Hail a cab and find us a draper's shop. Before we visit your family, we have one other gift to purchase." At Albert's questioning look, Tim just smiled. Albert lifted his arm and the cab juddered to a halt. Inside it was warm and comfortable. Tim was relieved not to have to walk, Jonathan was content with the accommodations, and Albert was philosophical. Mr. Tim had his little ways, and who was he to question?
A draper's shop was soon found, and as the three exited the coach, Tim asked the driver to wait. The young men entered the shop, greeted the proprietor with appropriate salutations and asked after outdoor garments.
The shop's owner showed them to a shelf of clothing suitable for men and women. Tim turned to Albert. "Which of these garments would best suit your mother? A soft shawl for indoors or a heavier cloak for winter weather? I don't know her coloring, so you'd probably rather select it yourself."
Straightening up, Albert weighed his decision to ask if Mr. Tim was certain he wanted to do this or to make the requested selection. He looked up at Tim, who nodded gently. "My mam's so beautiful anything would do for her, and as happy as she'll be to have either one, I think she would really like that dark blue one, the one with pretty colors inside." He pointed to a heavy navy blue cloak with a softly-colored, paisley flannel lining. "Mam will thank you for it."
"She won't need to thank me, Albert; it's you she should be thanking. We'll consider this your first week's wages. I'll be needing someone to run errands for me, to shop when I need something, and to help out with my duties at the hospital. I think we can settle on a fair wage, but first let's take this to your mother, shall we? And while we're here, let's replace your coat and gloves."
Paying for the clothing with a smile and waiting for it to be wrapped took a very short time. Tim led the way to the cab, with Jonathan and Albert carrying the large boxes containing Albert's mother's cloak between them. Albert chose to wear his new coat and gloves.
Sitting up beside John Coachman, Albert got his first view of the city from above the street. In his excitement, he waved to all and sundry and was even more excited when they waved back! It took a few minutes to arrive at Albert's street, which, while still respectable, was sadly run-down, with a forlorn and neglected air about it.
As the three young gentlemen were stepping down from the cab, the grocer's boy arrived with his sled laden with the gifts for Albert's family: the beribboned basket, filled with a variety of food; the mittens and mufflers; and the soft blankets for his brothers. The lad carried the basket, Albert his mother's cloak, Tim the mittens and mufflers and Jonathan the blankets. All were laughing merrily and making a great deal of noise as they ascended the steps to Albert's door. Two small tousled heads appeared at the door, and standing right behind them a tall woman with the loveliest smile Jonathan had ever seen. Her eyes grew wide when she spotted the lad with the great white basket in his arms, her son Albert walking closely behind, followed himself by two young gentlemen she had never seen before today.
"Happy Christmas, Mam, a very Happy Christmas!" Albert cried joyously. The four young men crowded into the small room, each bearing his parcels, and when Tim tipped the grocer's lad, who smiled shyly and rather sadly, Albert said, "My name's Albert. Have you got plans for Christmas Day, or would you like to share dinner with us?" He looked to his mam, who nodded smiling.
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bsp; "My name's Freddie, and I've got nothing to do after I finish my deliveries. I'd be proud to come to dinner." The boys shook hands, and Freddie started down the stairs. Albert's mother called after him, "Come back round about four, Freddie, and don't be late." Freddie grinned in reply and disappeared.
Tim looked at Albert, his left eyebrow cocked.
"I think that's my next friend, sir, just like you and me. I think I can help HIM." Tim laughed, and Albert laughed, and then everyone laughed.
The young men placed their parcels on the small table in the room.
Avoiding the two young boys crowding around them, they stood back. "This is all for you," Albert said, pointing to the table. "Won't you open the parcels now and unpack the basket? The big box is from me, Mam, and the rest is from Mr. Tim. Oh, this is my doctor friend, Mr. Tim, and this is Mr. Jonathan, Mr. Tim's doctor friend. They came with me to bring all this and to meet my family."
Tim and Jonathan stepped forward, shook hands with Tim's mother and wished the family a Happy Christmas. Albert's mother thanked the young men for befriending her son and for their generosity in providing such a lovely Christmas for them all.
"Mr. Tim, I cannot thank you enough for your thoughtfulness and your concern for Albert. He is a bright lad, and I believe, given the chance, that he could go far in this life. I am very proud of him and very grateful to you. God bless you, sir." She smiled at him over the heads of her children.
The two little boys were gazing anxiously at the parcels, and Albert handed them each three. The blankets were instantly wrapped around the boys' shoulders, and the mufflers and mittens found their way to their rightful places. Albert's mother, Mrs. Mullins by name, just stood quietly holding the cloak in her hands. She lifted misty eyes to her son and hugged him tightly.
Albert nudged her to the basket and watched as all the good things came forth from its wide white mouth: ham and sausages, bread and cheeses, sugar and flour, fruits and cakes, wine, and two small tins of sweets for the children. She was overwhelmed. She turned to place kisses on the cheeks of our young doctors and immediately invited them for cake on Boxing Day. Both accepted with twinkling eyes and happy smiles.
Tim and Jonathan moved toward the door. "We'll wait for you in the cab, and we'll return you home within the hour, if your mother agrees." Mrs. Mullins nodded, and with another quick hug, Albert dashed after the two young doctors, leaving behind him two excited small boys and a very grateful mother.
Once again established in the comfortable cab, Tim gave instructions to their long-suffering coachman. They moved slowly across the city, still seeing people going about their final shopping for the festivities. It began to snow gently, tiny white flakes glittering through the air, determined to gild the buildings and passersby as well, with a frosty silver coating of sparkling dust.
Jonathan spoke up. "I believe we are going to your sister's home for Christmas giving. Well, old fellow, as I see it, we shall arrive empty-handed. Did you give any thought to such an entrance? Will we not be attacked with open hands once we do arrive? We have gifts for the older members, but what about the children? What shall we do? I see a confectioner's just closing his doors; perhaps we can persuade him to reopen his shop." He leaned out the window of the cab and hailed the shop's proprietor, who smiled and unlocked the door, standing aside to permit them entry.
In that moment our three young men became three younger boys. They piled out of the cab, motioning John Coachman to wait, and entered the confectionery shop in high spirits.
Stepping behind the long glass cases, the proprietor questioned our young boys about their confectionary preferences. Who were the sweets for this Christmas Day? Family or friends? What were their tastes? Did they favor hard confections or soft? Were they, by chance, also purchasing some for themselves? Did they want their selections wrapped in silver paper, placed in a silver basket, or arranged in a silver box? Why silver, they asked? The name of the establishment was "The Silver Bonbon Shoppe," and would they then expect gold embellishments? The proprietor smiled.
Amidst much hilarity, a huge selection of confections was organized within two large silver boxes, a large silver basket, and a small silver cornucopia for John Coachman. Nestled in all three receptacles were chocolate confections studded with nuts and filled with creamy centers, hard sour balls, toffees and taffy, peppermints and licorice. Finally, laden with silvered parcels and a silver basket, the three young fellows left the shop with much thanking and much "Happy Christmas"-ing.
They entered the coach sucking on peppermint sticks and lemon drops, then handed out John Coachman's box, accepting a jolly grin from the good man himself.
As they finished their confections, they arrived at Tim's sister's home, sticky-fingered but immensely refreshed. Tim's nieces and nephews, having heard the cab stop, had streamed to the front door, crying as they came, "Uncle Tim, Uncle Tim, Mr. Jonathan, Mr. Jonathan." They stopped short upon seeing Albert.
"No need to be shy," Tim joked, "this is my good friend, Albert Mullins. I think he'll become just as good a friend to you all. Happy Christmas, a very Happy Christmas to you all." The sound of his voice brought forth his sister and brother-in-law. Mrs. Cratchit was not far behind them with her own loving greetings for all the young men.
The silvered parcels and baskets found a grateful audience, and Tim presented his mother with the silver basket to tempt her sweet tooth and a slim volume of poetry. To his sister he gave a lovely woolen shawl and to his brother-in-law thick gloves and a book on woodcarving. Amidst sticky smiles and glowing eyes, he then asked for the attention of the assembled family. "As you all know, I have been extremely busy with my work at the hospital these many months. As a result, I have not been able to purchase the special Christmas presents that I would have liked you to receive. So with too much to do yet today, I reserve the afternoon of New Year's Eve to take you all on an outing to the largest toy emporium in London and let you shop to your heart's content, if your mother and father are willing." He looked toward his sister and brother-in-law, who nodded their approval. "I shall expect you to wait for the cab that afternoon after the luncheon hour, dressed and ready for our outing. Wear warm clothing, for I believe that Albert and I can show you the best spot for a snowball fight. We shall have our dinner at Mr. Bramley's establishment, so be on your best behavior," he said, pausing to catch his breath. "Now then, I still have to see Albert home and arrive handsomely dressed for my dinner at the Nevins. I shall return later this evening to see you all before bedtime." After a round of hugs and kisses were shared, Tim's mother patted his cheek and whispered, "God bless you, Timothy." Cheerful faces smiled and many arms waved violently from the front door as our three gentlemen returned to the care of John Coachman.
With Albert duly returned to his family and promised tea the day after Boxing Day, Tim and Jonathan sat back in the cab and rested themselves for the ride home. Neither spoke much, and Jonathan contented himself with watching his friend's face.
How much better Tim looked today. Had he passed the crisis that seemed to weigh so heavily upon him, or had Christmas Day worked its magic touch on yet another burdened spirit? He decided that it really made no particular difference just so long as his friend was finally at peace with himself.
The day had waned to early afternoon by the time the cab stopped before Tim and Jonathan's lodging. Out of the cab and ready to hurry upstairs to tea and comfort, Tim turned to John Coachman, handed him two gold sovereigns, and requested that he return for them at five o'clock. The driver expressed his heartfelt thanks for Tim's gift of confections and for the coins.
"A very Happy Christmas to you, young man, a very Happy Christmas. I'd been feeling sorry for myself this Christmas Day, being away from my family and all, but you sir, you've bettered my faith in my fellowmen and in Christmas itself. `Tis truly a magic time. I'll be seeing you right at five o' the clock, see if I don't. God bless you, sir, and my thanks to ye. This'll see my family right through to the new year and beyond. God ble
ss ye, and a very Happy Christmas to you." He tipped his hat, smiled hugely and drove away, whistling. Tim turned to see Jonathan smiling at him.
"I've always thought you were a great, good fellow, but Timothy, I never guessed just how good. You inspire me, old fellow, you truly do. I think it's time to hitch my wagon to your star, the one I see rising in the world just like that of Old Ebenezer Scrooge. He'd bless your name, I warrant, and I'd like to be around to see it when this Old City does you proud, and it will, you mark my words. For myself, I'm already proud to call you "friend." Tim soon found himself engulfed in a mighty embrace.
Red-faced with his emotion, Jonathan stepped back and offered Tim his arm. Together they marched joyfully up the stairs, shouting good wishes to Mrs. Tompkins on their way. Bursting into their lodgings, the found a cheerful fire on the grate, a sumptuous Christmas tea on the tea table, and a small pair of twin parcels, one next to each of two small plum puddings. Mrs. Tompkins had already seen to their immediate needs, and as they sat down to an early tea, they called down a blessing on her name.
Cutlery clanged and crockery clashed as plates and spoons and jam pots were passed back and forth across the table. The teapot was emptied, the plates grew bare and the sandwiches and tea cakes disappeared rapidly. There was a final clink as teacups met saucers, and two replete figures moved to the divan and balloon chair to put their feet up and rest from their gustatory labors.
Both men dozed for a little while, but when the clock struck the four o'clock hour, Jonathan leaped to his feet. Tim stirred slowly. As both men turned to their rooms to begin Christmas Day ablutions, they spied the two small parcels still lying on the tea table. Tim reached them first and handed one to Jonathan after perceiving that they were both alike. Able hands tore gilded papers off the little boxes, and two pairs of pleased eyes beheld handsome key rings, each cleverly fashioned in the shape of a caduceus.
The Very Name of Christmas Page 10