"Yes, yes!" they all said. "This is December."
"Christmas comes this month," said one little girl.
Then they all talked at once.
Oh, how they liked Christmas, and Santa Claus and Christmas trees!
They hoped Santa Claus would bring them many presents.
At last Miss Smith said, "Shall we have a Christmas tree this year in
school?"
Of course they all wanted one.
"I know something better than a Christmas tree," said Miss Smith.
"Something better than a Christmas tree!" said Mistress Mary. "What can
it be?"
"I must tell you about it," said Miss Smith. "You know I have told you
about Mrs. Brown."
"Yes," said Boy Blue, "she is the 'Old Woman in the Shoe.'"
Miss Smith laughed. "Is that what you call her?" she said.
"Yes," said Mary, "you know she has a great many children."
"Well, Tommy and Betty Brown have been sick a long time.
"Mrs. Brown has had to work very hard to get food to eat.
"I am afraid they will not have a happy Christmas.
"I think we might have a Christmas box, and fill it with all kinds of
good things.
"We can put things to eat and wear in the box, and you can bring some
toys, too.
"Then on Christmas day we can send the box to Mrs. Brown.
"That would make her happy, and it would make us happy, too."
The children all thought this was a very good idea.
Jack said, "I think it would be great fun if we could have a box the
shape of a big shoe. I know my father could make us one. I will ask him
to-night."
So Jack's father made a big wooden shoe, and the boys helped him paint
it black.
When the shoe was finished, the children began to fill it.
In the toe of the shoe Jack put two large squashes.
Mary brought a bag of potatoes and some big red apples.
Boy Blue wrote a letter to his mother and told her about the Christmas
shoe.
So Mrs. Snow sent a roasted chicken, a dozen eggs, and some fresh
butter that she had made.
I cannot tell you all the things that found their way into that wooden
shoe.
There was everything that hungry little boys and girls like to eat.
There were games and toys for the boys, and dolls with pretty dresses
for the girls.
And there was a fine new dress for Mrs. Brown, too.
The day before Christmas the shoe was ready and Mr. Horne came for it
with a big wagon.
Miss Smith put a card in the shoe.