But the experience that the days from which we expect least often afford us most happiness was again verified.

Barop had thought it his duty to inform my mother of this serious accident, and two or three days later she arrived.

Though I could not play out of doors with the others, there was enough to enjoy in the house with her and some of my comrades.
Every incident of that Christmas has remained in my memory, and, though Fate should grant me many more years of life, I would never forget them.
First came the suspense and excitement when the wagon from Rudolstadt filled with boxes drove into the court-yard, and then the watching for those which might be meant for us.
On Christmas eve, when at home the bell summoned us to the Christmas-tree the delight of anticipation reached its climax, and expressed itself in song, in gayer talk, and now and then some harmless scuffle.
Then we went to bed, with the firm resolve of waking early; but the sleep of youth is sounder than any resolution, and suddenly unwonted sounds roused us, perhaps from the dreams of the manger at Bethlehem and the radiant Christmas-tree.
Was it the voice of the angels which appeared to the shepherds?
The melody was a Christmas choral played by the Rudolstadt band, which had been summoned to waken us thus pleasantly.
Never did we leave our beds more quickly than in the darkness of that early morning, illuminated as usual only by a tallow dip.

Rarely was the process of washing more speedily accomplished--in winter we were often obliged to break a crust of ice which had formed over the water; but this time haste was useless, for no one was admitted into the great hall before the signal was given.

At last it sounded, and when we had pressed through the wide-open doors, what splendours greeted our enraptured eyes and ears! The whole room was most elaborately decorated with garlands of pine.