CHBISTMAS IN ALASKA. 
263 
" It is — let me see — Thursday, December tenth/' said 
her father, consulting his calendar. 
Then, Christmas is just a fortnight from to-morrow ! 
We can have a tree, and hang up evergreen, and have a 
splendid time ! Why not?" 
As nobody seemed disposed to come forward with any 
reason "why not," the plan was eagerly taken up by all. 
The three Indians had no idea what Christmas meant, and 
very gravely and sweetly Flossie undertook to explain to 
them about its origin, and how dear the day was to all 
the world. 
As she told the story of Bethlehem, reading now 
and then from her little Testament, Solomon joined 
the group, and listened with bared head and a sober 
face. 
"Reminds me of when I was a leetle feller," he said, 
when Flossie paused at the end of a chapter. " Seems 
ter me my father used to read 'baout that once, but 
I've e'ena'most fergotten every word of it. Go on, 
miss." 
The Alaskans themselves hardly comprehended what it 
was all about ; but something of the young girl's devout 
spirit must have made itself felt, for they listened eagerly, 
and nodded to each other several times, and were evidently 
sorry when the lesson was over. 
" And now," concluded Floss, closing her book, " it's 
going to be His birthday next week — Christmas, we call 
it — and everybody ought to be happy on that day, and 
