It was the first time that her aunt had ever addressed her in this serious way.

She was used to being all but ignored, though never in a manner which made her feel that she was treated unkindly.

There was nothing like confidence between them; only in care for her bodily wants did Miss Bygrave fill the place of the mother whose affection the child had never known.

Maud crossed her hands on her lap, and looked up with respectful attention upon her pale sweet little face.
"Do you wonder at all," Miss Bygrave went on, "why we never spend Christmas like your friends do in their homes, with eating and drinking and all sorts of merriment ?" "Yes, aunt, I do." It was evidently the truth, and given with the simple directness which characterised the child.
"You know what Christmas Day means, Maud ?" "It is the day on which Christ was born." "And for what purpose did Christ come as a child on earth ?" Maud thought for a moment.

She had never had any direct religious teaching; all she knew of these matters was gathered from her regular attendance at church.