Chapter 16: Christmas Day on Shiloh - December 25th, 1907]
It's Christmas, Josie! Wake up! Alright honey, I'm awake, Josie said laughingly. Why don't you go look in your stocking by the fireplace downstairs. Okay, Josie. And then she ran down the stairs. Oh, she's just what I wished for! Thank you, Josie. Merry Christmas, Lottie. I'm glad you like her. What do you think you'll name her? I'll have to think about it awhile. Look and see if there's anything else in there, Lottie. An orange and some peppermint candy. My favorites! I'll save them to eat later, of course. Good idea, Lottie. Go get dressed now because we're going to be having breakfast and Jamie is coming. Oh, goody! I'll go and get breakfast started. That is, after I get dressed. Silly me! Uncle Henry should be up in a while here. [A Few Minutes Later] I'm all dressed, Josie. Alright, go down to the kitchen. I'll be there in a few minutes. Okay, Josie. What a Christmas so far! [Knock-Knock!] Morning, Jamie. Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, Lottie. Come here, little one. Give me a big bear hug. Where's Josie? She should be here in a minute. Here she comes. Morning, Josie. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Jamie. What's for breakfast, Josie? Flapjacks, eggs, and sausage. And we've got some Christmas oranges. That sounds good. I'll help set the table, Josie. Alright, Lottie. Will you help her, Jamie? Sure, Josie. Good morning, Uncle Henry. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Josie. Hello, Jamie. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Judge. Merry Christmas, Lottie. Merry Christmas, Uncle Henry. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, everyone. [A Few Minutes Later]
Breakfast is ready, everyone. Sit down before it gets cold. Thank you, Lord for this food. Amen. Dig in, everyone. Did you get what you wished for for Christmas, Lottie? I did, Jamie. I'm going to name her Bessie. Who's Bessie? She's my doll, Jamie. Oh. You'll have to show her to me later, honey. Sure, Jamie. This is delicious, Josie. Thank you, Uncle Henry. Best Christmas breakfast I ever had. I'm glad you like it, Lottie. And after I clean up the mess we're going to go down to the bunkhouse and get dinner ready because company will be here before long. Alright, Josie. Sounds like a plan. I'll help you clean up so we'll get to it faster. Thank you, Jamie. Would you help me clear up, Lottie? Okay, Josie. I'll wash and you can dry. And you can help put them away, Jamie. Sure, Josie. [Some Time Later] There, we're all done. Thank you, Jamie. You're welcome, Josie. Now, let's go to the bunkhouse . Be sure not to get in the way, Lottie. I won't, Jamie. We're here, everyone. Good morning, Josie. Morning, Virginian. Let's get these bunks moved, boys. Come on, Lottie. Let's go help Harper in the kitchen. Okay, Josie. Hello, Harper. What can we help with? Well, I've got the bird in the oven. You and Lottie can wash these vegetables while I see to the biscuits. Alright, Harper. And after that, I'll go fetch all the pies and goodies I made. Good idea, Josie. And on they worked until two o'clock in the afternoon when Christmas dinner was almost ready. There, it's all on the stove! That it is, Josie. Another Christmas dinner done. Our guests should be here pretty soon. Just who's coming besides Betsy and the kids, Josie? Randy's coming with Ellie and he's bringing some of his family with him. I recall meeting some of his family years ago. Here come our guests, Josie! Oh, good. Let's go and greet them. Hello, Betsy. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Josie. Merry Christmas, Lottie. Merry Christmas, Miss Betsy. Hi, Annie, Virginia. Merry Christmas, Lottie. Oh, you got dolls for Christmas, too! Would you like to see mine? Oh yes, Lottie. She's inside. Do come in out of the cold. I named her Bessie. That's a pretty name, Lottie. Would you like to play dolls? Oh yes, Annie. Let's go over here. Where's your brother? He's with your cousin Jamie. So your mama told you I found my cousin? Yes, she did. I'm happy you found him, Lottie. So am I, Annie. Do come in out of the cold, Betsy. Thank you, Josie. Randy and his family should be here soon. I hope so, Josie. Here come Daddy and the boys now. Hello, Daddy. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Betsy. Where are those two little grand-daughters of mine? Here we are, Granpa! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, Annie. Merry Christmas, Virginia. What are you three up to? We've been playing dolls with Lottie. That sounds like fun. Dinner will be ready in a little while here. Oh, goody! Merry Christmas, Henry. Same to you, David. Do come over here with Jamie and I. Do sit down, Betsy. Thank you, Josie. I see someone hung up some mistletoe by the door, Josie. Oh, that must've been Lottie! She loves to play jokes like that. Has she done it before? Last night, yes. And Jamie and I got stuck under it. And what happened, Josie?, in a whisper. I kissed him. You did? Only on the cheek. Don't tell anyone, but one day I'm going to marry him. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me, Josie. Oh, it looks like our guests are here, Betsy. Oh, good. Let's go and greet them. Ellie's here, girls. Oh, good! Hello, Randy. Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, Betsy. Betsy, this is my Granpa and Grandma and my Uncle Dell. I'm pleased to meet you all. Please come in out of the cold. Thank ya, Miss Betsy. My grandson's told me all about ya over the years. And he's told me much about you, too. Do call me Betsy. Alright, as long as you call me Grandma. I'd be honored. Merry Christmas, Ellie. Come on, let's go play! Okay, Lottie. See ya later, Daddy. See ya, honey. Hi, Josie. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Randy. Jamie and my uncle are inside. Hello, Josie. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Glory. Do come in out of the cold. Thank you, Josie. Hello, Randy. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Judge. Howdy, Randy. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Jamie. My Uncle Dell wants to meet you. Excuse me a moment, Judge. Of course, son. Uncle Dell, this is the friend I was tellin you about. Good to meet ya, son? You go by Jamie, right? Yes, sir. That's my name. I'm glad to meet you. Same here, son. Randy's been tellin me you found your cousin. Yes, I finally found her. I was happy to hear it, son. Thank you. Dinner will be ready in a little while, everyone. Thank you, Harper. Let's sing Christmas carols, everyone. Good idea, Josie. I see you brought your guitar, Randy. Would you accompany us? Sure, Betsy. Let's let our guests choose first. How about Go Tell It on the Mountain? That's a good one, Grandma. And they sang carol after carol until dinner was ready. ''Come and get it, everyone''! That's dinner, everyone. Sit anywhere and make yourselves at home. You can sit between Jamie and I, Lottie. Okay, Josie. Dear Lord, thank you for this wonderful food and for the gift of your Son and also for friends and family gathered together on Christmas. Amen. Dig in, everyone. My niece and Harper made plenty for everyone. Would you carve the bird, David? Of course, Henry. Here you are, Betsy. I'll cut some for Henry and the girls. Be sure to cut some for Lottie too, David. Here you go, children. Thank you, Daddy. Thank you, Reverend Henderson. You're welcome, Lottie. Here's some for you and Jamie, Josie. Thank you. Help me pass the turkey down the line. Here you are Granpa, Grandma. Uncle Dell. Thank you, Josie. Pass this along to Ellie, Betsy. Of course, David. Here you go, Ellie. Someone pass the carrots and mashed potatoes. Sure, Jamie. Pass them on down when you're done with them. Who cooked this fine feast? I did, Grandma. With Harper's help. He's the one that cooks for the boys. I'm glad I finally got to meet your family, Randy. What do you think of them, Judge? To be honest, I like them. They're good, honest people. They're a lot like you, Randy. I'm glad you think so, Judge. And so an afternoon of fun and family and Christmas cheer passed.