A sad look came into Mistress Brewster's eyes, and Mistress Standish
looked grave, too. No one spoke for a few seconds, until Hannah said
almost sharply:
"Why could we not burn a Yule log Monday, and make some meal into
little cakes for the children?"
"Nay, Hannah," answered the gentle voice of Mistress Brewster. "Such
are but vain shows and not for those of us who believe in holier
things. But," she added, with a kind glance at little Remember,
"wouldst thou like to know why we have left Old England and do not keep
the Christmas Day? Thou canst not understand it all, child, and yet it
may do thee no harm to hear the story. It may help thee to be a brave
and happy little girl in the midst of our hard life."
"Surely it can do no harm, Mistress Brewster," spoke Rose Standish,
gently. "Remember is a little Pilgrim now, and she ought, methinks, to
know something of the reason for our wandering. Come here, child, and
sit by me, while good Mistress Brewster tells thee how cruel men have
made us suffer. Then will I sing thee one of the Christmas carols."
With these words she held out her hands to little Remember, who ran
quickly to the side of Mistress Standish, and eagerly waited for the
story to begin.
"We have not always lived in Holland, Remember. Most of us were born in
England, and England is the best country in the world.
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