the creature watches the family eat their dinner. potatoes and turnips. a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.
a sliver of warm light spills through the chink in the wall.
the creature watches marie instructing the children in their letters. a half dozen words are written in chalk on a slate board. maggie is trying to puzzle one out:
the creature observes another lesson. six more words are chalked on the board. thomas is struggling with the first:
the creature gazes through the chink in the wall, face lit up with wonder. inside, the tree is a dazzling vision of ornaments and light. the house is filled with joy and laughter. grandfather plays his recorder by a roaring fire
the creature watches the family clustered around the fire. marie reads a book aloud: