(A Shiloh Christmas:Chapter 1)[December 20th,1899]
I can't believe it's almost Christmas, Daddy. Neither can I, Betsy. There, I finished the last pair of mittens for the boys. You've done really nice work on those mittens and scarves, Betsy. I certainly hope the boys will like them. For Christmas Day I was thinking we could invite the boys from the orphanage over here for dinner, Betsy. That's a wonderful idea, Daddy. But we'd have to do it in the bunkhouse, or there won't be enough room. That sounds reasonable enough, Betsy. And I've asked Cookie to help me with the food, too. And by the way,Daddy, the boys have asked us over on Christmas Eve to help decorate the tree they're going to chop down. That sounds wonderful, Betsy. We'll definitely be there. Tomorrow I need to go see Grandma AnnaMae so she can give me a recipe for that apple stack cake. That's a recipe I've never heard of before, Betsy. It's something Randy told me about, Daddy. He told me that his mother always baked it for Christmas so I thought I'd surprise him with it. That's very thoughtful of you,Betsy. I just want to make him feel at home. It's hard to believe he's been here almost a year now. And has it been a good year for you? Yes, it has, Daddy. I love this place and I love the people on it. Randy's the closest thing to a younger brother I'll ever have. I'm really glad he stayed. So am I, Betsy. I've become quite fond of him. By the way, Daddy, tomorrow night the hotel's having a Christmas dance and everyone's invited. That sounds nice, Betsy. Are you going to go? Yes, and so are the Virginian and the boys. Well, you all have a good time. We will, Daddy. I'd better go wrap these scarves and mittens for the boys. Is there anything you want for Christmas, Betsy? I've got everything I need, Daddy. It's going to be a wonderful Christmas, Daddy. It certainly will be, Betsy. I think I'll go down to the bunkhouse for a minute. Alright, Daddy. Evening, Judge. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Virginian. Are you any good at shooting turkeys? I've bagged a couple in my time, Judge. Well, we'll be needing a Turkey for dinner here on Christmas Day. I've invited the boys from the orphanage to share Christmas dinner with us. That's very generous of you, Judge. We'll be happy to have them. And Betsy and I accept your invitation for Christmas Eve. We'll be glad to have you, Judge. Hello, Judge, Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Randy. Well, I'd better go back to the house. Goodnight, Judge. Goodnight, boys. And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.
I can't believe it's almost Christmas, Daddy. Neither can I, Betsy. There, I finished the last pair of mittens for the boys. You've done really nice work on those mittens and scarves, Betsy. I certainly hope the boys will like them. For Christmas Day I was thinking we could invite the boys from the orphanage over here for dinner, Betsy. That's a wonderful idea, Daddy. But we'd have to do it in the bunkhouse, or there won't be enough room. That sounds reasonable enough, Betsy. And I've asked Cookie to help me with the food, too. And by the way,Daddy, the boys have asked us over on Christmas Eve to help decorate the tree they're going to chop down. That sounds wonderful, Betsy. We'll definitely be there. Tomorrow I need to go see Grandma AnnaMae so she can give me a recipe for that apple stack cake. That's a recipe I've never heard of before, Betsy. It's something Randy told me about, Daddy. He told me that his mother always baked it for Christmas so I thought I'd surprise him with it. That's very thoughtful of you,Betsy. I just want to make him feel at home. It's hard to believe he's been here almost a year now. And has it been a good year for you? Yes, it has, Daddy. I love this place and I love the people on it. Randy's the closest thing to a younger brother I'll ever have. I'm really glad he stayed. So am I, Betsy. I've become quite fond of him. By the way, Daddy, tomorrow night the hotel's having a Christmas dance and everyone's invited. That sounds nice, Betsy. Are you going to go? Yes, and so are the Virginian and the boys. Well, you all have a good time. We will, Daddy. I'd better go wrap these scarves and mittens for the boys. Is there anything you want for Christmas, Betsy? I've got everything I need, Daddy. It's going to be a wonderful Christmas, Daddy. It certainly will be, Betsy. I think I'll go down to the bunkhouse for a minute. Alright, Daddy. Evening, Judge. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Virginian. Are you any good at shooting turkeys? I've bagged a couple in my time, Judge. Well, we'll be needing a Turkey for dinner here on Christmas Day. I've invited the boys from the orphanage to share Christmas dinner with us. That's very generous of you, Judge. We'll be happy to have them. And Betsy and I accept your invitation for Christmas Eve. We'll be glad to have you, Judge. Hello, Judge, Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Randy. Well, I'd better go back to the house. Goodnight, Judge. Goodnight, boys. And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.