"Kelly, Myra - A Christmas Present for a Lady" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kelly Myra)

brown flannel and green braid, which she recognizes as the outward seeming of
her cherished Bertha Binderwitz; and yet, when the desks are forced to disgorge
their prey, the legs restored to their normal position are found to support a
fat childЧ and Bertha was best described as "skinny"Ч in a dress of the Stuart
tartan tastefully trimmed with purple. Investigation proves that Bertha's
accumulative taste in dress is an established custom. In nearly all cases the
glory of holiday attire is hung upon the solid foundation of every-day clothes
as bunting is hung upon a building. The habit is economical of time, and
produces a charming embonpoint.
Teacher, too, is more beautiful than ever. Her dress is blue, and "very long
down, like a lady," with bands of silk and scraps of lace distributed with the
eye of art. In her hair she wears a bow of what Sadie Gonorowsky, whose father
"works by fancy goods," describes as "black from plush ribbonЧ costs ten cents."

Isidore Belchatosky, relenting, is the first to lay tribute before Teacher. He
comes forward with a sweet smile and a tall candlestickЧ the candy has gone to
its long homeЧ and Teacher for a moment can not be made to understand that all
that length of bluish-white china is really hers "for keeps."
"It's to-morrow holiday," Isidore assures her; "and we gives you presents, the
while we have a kind feeling. Candlesticks could to cost twenty-five cents."
"It's a lie. Three for ten,'' says a voice in the background, but Teacher
hastens to respond to Isidore's test of her credulity:
"Indeed, they could. This candlestick could have cost fifty cents, and it's just
what I want. It is very good of you to bring me a present."
"You're welcome," says Isidore, retiring; and then, the ice being broken, the
First Reader Class in a body rises to cast its gifts on Teacher's desk, and its
arms round Teacher's neck.
Nathan Horowitz presents a small cup and saucer; Isidore Applebaum bestows a
large calendar for the year before last; Sadie Gonorowsky brings a basket
containing a bottle of perfume, a thimble, and a bright silk handkerchief; Sarah
Schodsky offers a penwiper and a yellow celluloid collar-button, and Eva
Kidansky gives an elaborate nasal douche, under the pleasing delusion that it is
an atomizer.
Once more sounds of grief reach Teacher's ears. Rushing again to the rescue, she
throws open the door and comes upon woe personified. Eva Gonorowsky, her hair in
wildest disarray, her stocking fouled, un-gartered, and down- gyved to her
ankle, appears before her teacher. She bears all the marks of Hamlet's
excitement, and many more, including a tear-stained little face and a gilt
saucer clasped to a panting breast.
"Eva, my dearest Eva, what's happened to you now?" asks 'Teacher, for the list
of ill chances which have befallen this one of her charges is very long. And Eva
wails forth that a boy, a╖ very big boy, had stolen her golden cup "what I had
for you by present," and has left her only the saucer and her undying love to
bestow.
Before Eva's sobs have quite yielded to Teacher's arts, Jacob Spitsky presses
forward with a tortoise-shell comb of terrifying aspect and hungry teeth, and an
air showing forth a determination to adjust it in its destined place. Teacher
meekly bows her head; Jacob forces his offering into her long suffering hair,
and then retires with the information, "Costs fifteen cents, Teacher," and the
courteous phraseЧ by etiquette prescribed "Wish you health to wear it." He is