In short , all through December Mollie was weighed down under an avalanche of responsibility . It speaks volumes for her sagacity and skill that she never got things mixed up or made any such terrible mistake as letting one little Joseph find out what another was going to give him . `` Dead '' secrecy was the keystone of all plans and confidences . During this particular December the planning and contriving had been more difficult and the results less satisfactory than usual . The Josephs were poor at any time , but this winter they were poorer than ever . The crops had failed in the summer , and as a consequence the family were , as Jimmy said , `` on short commons . '' But they made the brave best of their small resources , and on Christmas Eve every little Joseph went to bed with a clear conscience , for was there not on the corner table in the kitchen a small mountain of tiny -- sometimes very tiny -- gifts labelled with the names of recipients and givers , and worth their weight in gold if love and good wishes count for anything ? It was beginning to snow when the small small Josephs went to bed , and when the big small Josephs climbed the stairs it was snowing thickly . Mr. and Mrs. Joseph sat before the fire and listened to the wind howling about the house . `` I 'm glad I 'm not driving over the prairie tonight , '' said Mr. Joseph . `` It 's quite a storm . I hope it will be fine tomorrow , for the children 's sake . They 've set their hearts on having a sleigh ride , and it will be too bad if they ca n't have it when it 's about all the Christmas they 'll have this year . Mary , this is the first Christmas since we came west that we could n't afford some little extras for them , even if 't was only a box of nuts and candy . '' Mrs. Joseph sighed over Jimmy 's worn jacket which she was mending . Then she smiled . `` Never mind , John . Things will be better next Christmas , we 'll hope . The children will not mind , bless their hearts . Look at all the little knick-knacks they 've made for each other .
Last week when I was over at Taunton , Mr. Fisher had his store all gayified up , ' XXXXX Jim says , with Christmas presents .
about as at before for if in on through to