Betsy and Billy Read Online Free Page B

tell you because it's a secret."
    "Something that covers my hands all up?" said Mother. "Well now, what could that be?"
    "It's going to be a surprise," said Betsy, laughing.
    Betsy held her presents on her lap in the train. She was very quiet. After a while she said, "Mother, why are there so many Santa Clauses?"
    "You see," said Mother, "Santa Claus is the love that makes everyone want to give presents."
    "I see," said Betsy. "So there are a lot of Santa Clauses because there is a lot of love."
    "Exactly," replied Mother.
    A few days before Christmas Mrs. Beckett arrived. Betsy was so glad to see her.
    "Do you know what I want for Christmas, Mrs. Beckett?" said Betsy.
    "No, I don't believe I do," said Mrs. Beckett.
    "I want a baby sister," said Betsy. "Do you think I will get a baby sister, Mrs. Beckett?"
    "Well," said Mrs. Beckett, "we'll see."
    "That is what Mother says," replied Betsy.
    At last Christmas Eve arrived. Betsy went to bed early so that Christmas morning would come sooner. Mother heard her say her prayers and tucked her into bed.
    "Mother," said Betsy, as she held her very tight, "do you think I will get a baby sister?"

    "I'm not sure," said Mother, as she kissed her little girl.
    Soon Betsy fell fast asleep. It seemed like no time at all when she was awake again. Betsy knew that it was morning because she could see a little bit of light in the sky. Just then Mrs. Beckett tiptoed into the room. She was dressed in a stiff white dress and she was wearing white shoes.
    "Can I get up now?" whispered Betsy.
    "Yes," said Mrs. Beckett. "Come and see the present that Mother has for you."
    Betsy rubbed her eyes. She put on her woolly bathrobe and her bunny bedroom slippers. Father was waiting for her in the hall. "Be very quiet," said Father, as he opened the door of Mother's room. Mother was in bed. Betsy thought she was asleep.
    Father led Betsy over to the corner of the room. There was the white bassinet that had once been Betsy's. Betsy's eyes were very big as she looked into the bassinet, for there lay a tiny baby, sound asleep.
    "Oh," whispered Betsy, "is it a baby sister?"
    "Yes," whispered Father, "it's a baby sister!"
    Betsy couldn't take her eyes off the baby. As she stood looking at her, she heard some voices far away singing Christmas carols. They were singing a song that Betsy knew.
"Silent night, holy night.
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace."

    Betsy tiptoed over to her mother's bed. She leaned over and Mother opened her eyes. She smiled at her little girl.
    "Thank you for my present," said Betsy. "Do you hear 'Holy Night,' Mother?"
    "Yes, darling," said Mother. "Holy Night."

6. Christmas Star

    Betsy had the happiest Christmas day she had ever known. After she saw her baby sister she went downstairs with Father. The house was still quite dark. When they went into the living room, Father pushed the electric light button. Suddenly the room seemed full of twinkling stars. There stood the Christmas tree covered with colored lights and shining balls. Tinsel dripped from the branches like icicles. On the very tip top there was a shining silver star.
    Betsy stood in the doorway and looked at the Christmas tree. "Oh!" she sighed; "it's beautiful."
    Then she walked over to look at the things that were under the tree. She didn't know what to look at first. Everything seemed to dance before her eyes. She looked around the room to see if there was a bicycle but she didn't see any. There were rollerskates from Aunt Jane, a camera from Granddaddy, a game from Uncle Jim, and a red sweater from Mother, but there wasn't any bicycle. There was a book from Mrs. Beckett.
    "Well," said Father. "Aren't you going to see what is in your stocking?"
    "Oh, I almost forgot about my stocking," said Betsy.
    Betsy went over to the fireplace and Father took down her stocking. It was bulging, and sticking out of the top was a