On every table stood a Stolle, the Saxon Christmas bread called in Keilhau Schuttchen, and a large plate of nuts and cakes, the gift of the institute.

Beside these, either on the tables or the floor, were the boxes from home.

They were already opened, but the unpacking was left to us--a wise thing; for what pleasure it afforded us to take out the various gifts, unwrap them, admire, examine, and show them to others! Those were happy days, for we saw only joyous faces, and our own hearts had room for no other feelings than the heaven-born sisters Love, Joy, and Gratitude.
We entered with fresh zeal upon the season of work which followed.

It was the hardest of the twelve months, for it carried us to Easter, the close of the school year, and was interrupted only by the carnival with its merry masquerade.
All sorts of examinations closed the term of instruction.

On Palm Sunday the confirmation services took place, which were attended by the parents of many of the pupils, and in which the whole institute shared.
Then came the vacation.