`` Poor James expected nothing , but when he woke on that cold Christmas morning , he found a pair of warm mittens , knit by his mother , with her stiff painful fingers . This gift pleased him very much , but her kiss and tender look as she called him her ` good son , ' was better still . In trying to keep her warm , he had warmed his own heart , you see , and in filling the wood-box he had also filled those months with duties faithfully done . He began to see this , to feel that there was something better than books , and to try to learn the lessons God set him , as well as those his school-master gave . `` When he saw the great pile of oak and pine logs at his door , and read the little paper , he knew who sent it , and understood the minister 's plan ; thanked him for it , and fell to work with all his might . Other boys frolicked that day , but James sawed wood , and I think of all the lads in the town the happiest was the one in the new mittens , who whistled like a blackbird as he filled his mother 's wood-box . '' `` That 's a first rater ! '' cried Dan , who enjoyed a simple matter-of-face story better than the finest fairy tale ; `` I like that fellow after all . '' `` I could saw wood for you , Aunt Jo ! '' said Demi , feeling as if a new means of earning money for his mother was suggested by the story . `` Tell about a bad boy . I like them best , '' said Nan . `` You 'd better tell about a naughty cross-patch of a girl , '' said Tommy , whose evening had been spoilt by Nan 's unkindness . It made his apple taste bitter , his pop-corn was insipid , his nuts were hard to crack , and the sight of Ned and Nan on one bench made him feel his life a burden . But there were no more stories from Mrs. Jo , for on looking down at Rob he was discovered to be fast asleep with his last corn firmly clasped in his chubby hand . Bundling him up in his coverlet , his mother carried him away and tucked him up with no fear of his popping out again . `` Now let 's see who will come next , '' said Emil , setting the door temptingly ajar . Mary Ann passed first , and he called out to her , but Silas had warned her , and she only laughed and hurried on in spite of their enticements . Presently a door opened , and a strong voice was heard humming in the hall , `` Ich weiss nicht was soll es bedeuten Dass ich so traurig bin . '' `` It 's Uncle Fritz ; all laugh loud and he will be sure to come in , '' said Emil .
A wild burst of laughter followed , and in came Uncle XXXXX , asking , `` What is the joke , my lads ? ''
Dass Emil Fritz Nan Silas Tommy day first morning school-master