"STILLE NACHT"
THAT Christmas was very near at hand was apparent by more than one
outward and visible sign. "Though they don't begin to prepare for it
nearly as early as we do," remarked Mary Lee.
"I think it is nicer not to," said Jack, "for there they begin so soon
that it fools you into thinking it is very near when it is weeks off,
and you get so used to seeing Christmas things that you forget they
aren't there all the time."
"The first thing we must do to make us feel that Christmas is coming is
to see the _krippen_," said Miss Helen.
"What are _krippen_?" asked Jean.
"They are representations of the Nativity, generally, though sometimes
they represent other religious subjects such as the Flight into
Egypt, or the heralding angels appearing to the shepherds. They are
often very elaborate, and the best display of them is at the National
Museum, where you can see fac-similes not only of German _krippen_
but of Italian and Sicilian ones. The different churches also have
them. There is one of the Advent now at the Theatinerkirche. You twins
will be delighted with the little figures which are sometimes really
wonderful."
[Illustration: THE CHILDREN STOOD IN AWE AND DELIGHT AT THE KRIPPEN.]
They all started out the very next day to view the _krippen_, stopping
first at St. Cajetans-Hofkirche on the Theatinerstrasse, where the
children stood in awe and delight before the scene of John the Baptist
preaching the coming of our Lord. The tiny figures were very perfect,
the centurion soldiers and listening multitude were artistically
grouped, a little brook of running water made a pleasant murmur as
it wound its way along. It was not more than four inches wide, but
it added much to the scene. The whole was lighted and stood out in
strong contrast to the dim church in which it was enshrined. As Miss
Helen dropped some _pfennige_ into the cup ready for contributions a
sepulchral voice in some dark corner murmured: "_Gott sei dank._"
Through the lower rooms of the Museum, where it was impossible not
to linger a little to see the many curious and interesting things,
the party took its way to the upper floor, where through a dark
labyrinthine way they passed to find the lighted _krippen_ set up on
each side. There were a great many, and it took a long time to make the
rounds. Some were quite simple; others were very elaborate. There
were street scenes with every conceivable sort of figure, wonderful
interiors and exteriors where the Wise Men were shown in all the pomp
of Eastern magnificence; there were gardens and palaces, temples and
churches, processions, and, above all, the rude stable with the manger
and the Holy Family.
"They are the most marvellous things I ever saw," said first one
and then another of the girls. "Such perfect little figures, such
fascinating landscapes, such variety of expression and action, such
typical costumes."
"The Sicilian ones are the best," decided Nan, "though those of
southern Italy are about as good."
"I wouldn't have missed it for anything," declared Jo, as they came
to the last one. "You are a duck, Miss Helen, to think of bringing us
here. I am going to haunt the churches from now on to see how many
_krippen_ I can discover."
"Oh, can't we go back and do it all over?" asked Jean.
"Dear me," said Miss Helen, "I thought we had made a very careful
examination of them all."
"But I do like them so much and I can't remember them all by seeing
them just once."
"Perhaps we can come again," her mother comforted her by saying. "I
think this must do for now, and there will be others in the churches."
"They will be changed quite often at the Theatinerkirche, I am told,"
said Miss Helen. "I believe there is a new _krippe_ each week."
"Oh, there comes a new word. I suppose _krippe_ is the singular and
_krippen_ the plural," said Mary Lee.
"Naturally. The word I find means literally a manger. We can see a very
interesting display of _krippen,_ Christmas ornaments and such things
down on Sonnenstrasse and the Sendlingeethorplatz. The peasants make
the little _krippen_ and bring them in for sale just before Christmas."
"Oh, do they have them anywhere but in the churches?"
"Yes, indeed. A great many private houses have them and they are
considered quite as much an institution in some families as the
Christmas tree, though of course, these would be the Roman Catholic
families. You can see them of all sorts and sizes. Munich is Roman
Catholic, you know, although there are many Protestants here and many
Protestant churches."
"I should love to have a _krippe_ to take home even if I am not a Roman
Catholic, mother," said Jean. "Couldn't we have one?"
"I don't see any reason for not having one, although it would be rather
hard to pack. We will see about it."
"And may we go this afternoon to look at them?"
"Haven't you had enough _krippen_ for one day? I think we'd better wait
especially as the choice will be better a little later on," her aunt
told her.
The Christmas trees were arriving, and as the party proceeded homeward
they saw them being set up in their little stands, in every square and
open space.
"They do everything here in such a nice pleasant way," said Nan, as
she and her aunt walked through the forest of trees standing erect all
along the Maximilianplatz. "At home now, they throw the trees in a pile
or crowd them together in any old place. Here each tree looks as if
it were really growing, and that this were an avenue of them growing
just for Christmas. You can so easily see exactly how they look and can
pick out what you like without any trouble. How good and Christmassy
it smells, and what quantities of trees there are, then there are more
coming. Can they sell so many, I wonder? The whole city seems to be
full of them."
"When you consider that nearly every family in Munich will probably
have a tree, you can imagine the number will be somewhat lessened by
Christmas Eve." And true enough, as it proved, there was scarcely
a tree left, at least on the Maximilianplatz, by the day before
Christmas. More than one of the number went to the _Pension_ Bauer, and
one was purchased for the family of Frau Pfeffer.
Before this, however, there was the expedition to Sonnenstrasse to see
the collection of Christmas-tree ornaments, _krippen_ and such things
which the country folk had brought for sale, and which were set out
in small booths all along the street. Jean's fancy fell upon a tiny
_krippe_ which she and Jack bore away in triumph.
The days were very short and sunless, so that nightfall came very
early, but in spite of that the streets were full of people who filled
the big shops, or loitered along the streets, stopping leisurely before
the windows to look in, and because it seemed the general custom for
every one to go out as soon as it got dark, the Corner family followed
suit.
"I suppose they do it to save candles," said Miss Helen. "There is
German thrift for you."
"I think it is great fun," said Nan. "Why shouldn't they come out
and look at the pretty things? The shop-windows are very attractive
especially now, and some of the things are very cheap. I saw a
fascinating silver chain on Sonnenstrasse, and it was ever so much
cheaper than in other shops in more fashionable parts of the city. It
is much handsomer, too. Jo and I gloated over that window."
"That was the one from which we had such difficulty in dragging you,
wasn't it?"
"Yes, we saw so many pretty cheap things there, and we wanted to buy
them every one. I'd love to give Jo that chain."
"How about giving it to Nan?"
"Oh, it's too expensive to give myself when all I can rake and scrape
must go toward buying other things. If I can't get that special chain
for Jo, there is another that I think will come within my limit and
which she likes quite as well. Don't you love the way the men come
sauntering along and stand before the windows? It gives one such a
sense of leisure and real enjoyment of life to see them go dawdling
about. That one we just passed is going to give his wife furs for
Christmas, I know. He is looking at every piece in that window with a
critical eye. Oh, Aunt Helen, do look. Did you ever see anything quite
like that? A huge sausage dressed up with a huge satin bow, red satin
at that, and there is a boiled ham pranked out with blue ribbons and
artificial flowers. Truly _schinken_ and _wurst_ are dear to the German
heart."
They were coming around by the Karlsthor to enter one of the big
department stores where Nan had seen a certain book she wanted to get.
"I would like you to see if you don't think it would be a good thing to
give to Dr. Paul," she said to her aunt. "He has been so kind and good
in so many ways, just like a big brother. I must give him something,
and as he is very fond of dogs I thought I would get that funny book of
_dachshunds_ for him."
Miss Helen agreed that this would answer admirably.
"There are some dear little pieces of peasant pottery out on
Turkenstrasse," Nan went on. "I think they are lovely. On the next
street to the pottery shop are some queer wooden boxes which are made
by the peasants, too. I want two or three of them. One I shall give to
Juliet Hoyt, and a little jar to Mrs. Hoyt. I haven't decided what I
shall give to Maurice."
"You certainly are finding out all the odd corners and out-of-the-way
shops," said her aunt.
"I snoop around when I am coming home from my lessons, and Frau
Burg-Schmidt told me about the boxes."
"I should like to see them, myself."
They decided that they would have time to hunt up the two shops, and
continued their walk, coming home with mysterious packages which they
refused to show to any one, and which they promptly stowed away with
their other Christmas purchases.
From this out there was much whispering and many remarks, such as:
"Nan and I are going out together this afternoon; you needn't come,
Jean." Or, "Mother, would you mind not going with us to-day?" But there
were other times when all must go together to select what was intended
for Bertha Metzger and her little cousins. After talking the matter
over Mrs. Corner and Miss Helen decided that it would be better for
the girls to contribute from their regular Christmas money, and not
receive any extra amount. "They will be much happier knowing the joy of
sacrifice," Mrs. Corner said. "They are perfectly willing to go without
a tree for themselves if we will furnish one for the Pfeffers, and each
has agreed to be entirely satisfied with a modest present from her
sisters, so as to have more to spend for Bertha."
"You are a wise mother, Mary," said Miss Helen. "I am sure the girls
will enjoy their Christmas much more for having to exercise a little
self-denial. I don't suppose I need be limited in making my gifts, need
I?" she asked laughing. "You don't want to discipline me, do you?"
"I don't believe you need it," returned Mrs. Corner affectionately.
There were many interviews with Frau Pfeffer, and on the morning before
Christmas Eve all five of the little Pfeffers with Bertha were sent to
spend the day with a neighbor, and then the Corners took possession.
The tree was set up and each had a hand in the trimming, the twins
feeling very important, as this was the first time in their lives that
they had been allowed to take part in such a performance. When it was
finished they all stood off to see the effect of their handiwork.
"It's perfectly lovely," cried Jack ecstatically. "I'm glad we made up
our minds to have this instead of one of our own, for it is much more
fun to trim it for some one else."
"The little angel on top is beautiful," said Jean, "and that star on
the very tip is so bright. Yes, I am glad they have the tree instead of
us, but I am glad we can have our stockings, Jack."
Jack agreed that she would not like to give up the fun of hanging
up her stocking, and they stood looking at the tree while Nan, Mary
Lee and Jo were arranging the Christmas packages. Besides the warm
clothes for each member of the family, there were toys and a basket of
substantial food.
"Do put in something sweet and unwholesome," Nan had begged when her
mother and aunt were packing the basket.
"Need it be unwholesome because it is sweet?" said Mrs. Corner
laughing. "If they don't eat too much at once, I am sure it need not
be."
"And please don't say we have given foolish things to the children,"
Nan went on. "The clothes are very important, but after what you and
Mrs. Hoyt have given we think they ought to have toys. They are so
cheap that they can have a lot. We have only one apiece from each of
us."
"I don't think that will be too many," Mrs. Corner decided. "They will
enjoy a few much more than an overabundance."
So the foolish toys were added, and stood in proper array with the more
sensible gifts.
Railway switches must be turned even on Christmas Day, but Frau Pfeffer
had a substitute on Christmas Eve, and could joyfully celebrate that
holiday dear to the German nation. It was scarcely less dear to the
party of Americans who gathered in _Pension_ Bauer. That they might
have more to spend on the Pfeffers they had agreed not to invest
more than fifty _pfennige_ on any but the Pfeffers, outside their
own families, and it had been great fun to see what could be had for
the small sum of twelve cents. But Munich was full of cheap and
pretty articles, and the assortment was varied, Nan's peasant boxes
and jars showing up finely. These presents were to be distributed on
Christmas Eve, German fashion, while the family were to have their own
celebration on Christmas morning, as they always did at home.
"You can't come into the sitting-room," said Miss Helen speaking
through a crack in the door as the children returned from their morning
at Frau Pfeffer's.
"You can't come in here," called Mrs. Hoyt poking her head out of the
room on the opposite side of the hallway.
"Dear me! Where can we go? What secrets!" cried they all, only too glad
there were such. "I suppose we can go into our own rooms," said Nan.
"Come on, girls."
The odor of _küchen_ filled the air, and there was an excitement in the
frequent scurryings to and fro of the maids.
"Who all are coming to-night to help you celebrate?" asked Juliet Hoyt
who joined the others in Nan's room after the work of tying up packages
was finished, and it was nearing supper time.
"Dr. Woods; I think that is all," Mary Lee told her. "You see we are
quite a party in ourselves, seven in all, and he will make eight."
"Four of Maurice's friends are coming," Juliet said, "so we shall be
seven; that makes fifteen in all. Not a small number of Americans to
get together. Of course Fräulein Bauer will have a tree. She has asked
us all to come and see it, and she has been baking wonderful things,
the maids say. Those silly boys, I know, have been spending every penny
of their allowances on us."
"They shouldn't do it," said Nan severely. "We have only fifty
_pfennige_ presents for them."
"They would do it. Mamma tried to reason with them, but it was no use,
and I suppose we shall be deluged with candy, flowers and books. Mamma
laid down the law and told them we would positively accept no other
kind of gift, and that she would countenance no extravagance."
"I am glad she did," said Nan. "It would be very embarrassing if they
gave any of us handsome gifts."
"It is sort of fun to be in here talking about boys," remarked Jo. "It
reminds me of our boarding-school days. I declare I could eat something
good and homey this minute. It seems hours since we had dinner, and I
have had a long walk since."
Nan jumped down from the bed, where she was sitting with her feet
curled under her, and fumbled among some packages in a drawer,
presently bringing out a bag which she tossed over to Jo. "There," she
said, "that's all you'll get. You must save up for this evening for we
are going to have an extra fine supper."
Jo opened the bag, fished out a pretzel and began to nibble it. "Just
the thing to keep me occupied," she said, "and yet not too sustaining.
Shouldn't you like to see the little Pfeffers when they discover the
tree?"
"And Bertha," put in Jack.
"Bertha, of course; she counts in with the rest."
"Frau Pfeffer was so excited that I am sure she has been sending cars
off on the wrong track all day," said Mary Lee.
"She is to leave at six and it is that now," said Nan. "Dear me, it
seems much later for it has been dark so long. I wonder what she will
do first, look at her presents or light up the tree."
"The first thing she will probably get something to eat, for she will
be hungry, and so will the children. I suppose Bertha and the five will
be standing waiting outside when she gets there," Mary Lee decided.
"But will she let them in till the tree is lighted?" said Jack. "It
would be so much more of a surprise."
"We shall find out to-morrow, for I am sure we shall see some of them,"
said Nan. "It is really Christmas Eve for it is as dark as a pocket.
Don't let's have any light. Froliche Weihnacht, girls! Now let's be
cozy and do something to suit the season till we are called to supper.
Jo, you're nearest the stove, just put a shovel or two of coal on
that fire, so we can be good and warm. I don't think it has died down
entirely."
Jo opened the door of the great tiled affair which stood in the corner,
and peeped in. "I think there is enough left to start up again," she
said as she threw on a few shovelfuls of coal. "I used to stand in such
awe of these great porcelain stoves, or ovens, as they call them here,
but they are not so bad, and when I get home I shall deny the report
that one cannot keep warm in winter anywhere in Europe. I'm sure we
have been warm enough. There, it is going ahead splendidly. What shall
we do to be in keeping with Christmas Eve?"
"Suppose we sing Stille Nacht," suggested Juliet. And they began the
good old German Christmas hymn, their young voices sounding sweetly to
those busy in the next room. Then, as if answering, from the street
below a band struck up the same air. The hymn was scarcely finished
before Anna came along the corridor, knocking at each door to say:
"_Zu tisch, bitte_," and they trooped out to the feast of good things
which the Fräulein had prepared for this special occasion, and which
was served earlier than usual since a second supper would be ready
about nine o'clock.
The severe Miss Smart from Chelsea had departed to spend the holiday
in the mountains, thither, too, the Herr doctor and his mother had
gone, and the jovial German was taking supper with friends, so only
the American contingency appeared at table. Herr Eckler was to return
later, Fräulein Bauer told them.
"When can we go to the sitting-room?" asked the twins as they arose
from the table.
"In a few minutes," Mrs. Corner told them.
"You must visit us when you have exhausted your own surprises," said
Mrs. Hoyt, "and then we will all go and look at the Fräulein's tree."
The Corner children and Jo gathered around their door on one side the
hallway; Juliet and Maurice with the four boys, who came in a bunch, on
the other waited till at the word "Ready!" all rushed into the rooms
opened to them.
"A tree after all!" cried the twins.
"Yes, it was the good Fräulein who sent it in all trimmed," Mrs. Corner
told them, "and she has given us each one of these."
"These" proved to be wonderful gingerbread figures such as all had
seen in bakeshop windows for the past fortnight, and which were
really marvels of the baker's art. Then came the little presents
from the Hoyts and their boy friends. For Nan a small glass with a
München kindel upon it; a little can with the inscription "I hope
you will enjoy your can o' tea (_K-no-te_)," this from Maurice, and
from Juliet a photograph of Nan's favorite tenor. For the others were
various gifts: wooden peasant boxes, little steins, queer figures,
odd pictures. Jean had a whole German dinner in imitation, sausages,
cabbage, cheese, fruit and cakes all set on the tiniest of plates and
looking really good enough to eat. The schoolboys sent in a huge box of
candies with a ridiculous little piano for Nan, a tiny _dachshund_ for
Mary Lee, a nest of the funny figures they called the "Spazieren-gehen
family" for Jo. An invitation to a Christmas play at the Gärtnerplatz
theatre signed by the four boys, fell to Jack's share, while for each,
including Mrs. Corner and Miss Helen, were flowers.
A rap at the door interrupted the chatter. Juliet put in her head.
"Come over and see our show as soon as you can," she said. "We don't
want to put out the candles till you come." And all the children
followed her leaving their elders to extinguish the candles on their
own tree.
Another tree was lighted in the Hoyts' room, and other gingerbread
figures stood prominently forth; the Fräulein had treated the Hoyts
as generously as the Corners. More candy and flowers from the boys,
a delightfully funny calendar for Juliet and a second nest of
Spazieren-gehen figures.
The boys were having a great time over their own gifts. Nan and Mary
Lee had set their wits to work upon a square wooden box, in the centre
of which they had grouped four tiny Max and Moritz figures. These
were securely glued on, and from each corner of the lid was a deeply
grooved line burnt in the white wood. The inscription read: "From the
four Corners to the four schoolboys." Inside the box were four rolls of
the Christmas dainty known as mazapan which the girls had wrapped up
in this brown paper to imitate sausages. This special sweet had been
lately discovered, and the boys had all expressed a wish to taste it.
"Such clever people," said Henry Olcott. "We're going to toss up for
the box and the fellow who gets it will be in luck, so he will have to
treat the rest."
By the time the candles had burned down came a summons to the
dining-room. Another tree met the sight of the children, and a table
set out with cakes and a light punch. Herr Eckler had arrived and
pretty soon all were dancing, Jack spinning around with the portly
Herr in the roundest of round waltzes to the music pounded out by the
Fräulein's brother. Dr. Woods arrived late, but joined in the dance,
and later the whole party, except Mrs. Corner and the twins, went to
the solemn and beautiful service at the Frauenkirche, a fitting close
to a German Christmas Eve.
[Illustration: CHAPTER XV
IN THE MOUNTAINS]