mebythesud-deninclemency.Wintersometimescameearlytoourpartofthetry,butusuallywedidasnowfalluntilafterChristmas.Asthesquallblewin,IwonderedforthefirsttimewhetherChristmashadpassedaltogether,orperhapsatleastThanksgivinghadslippedby,andmostcertainlyHalloweenwasgohoughtofmyfamily,stilllookingformeeverydayinthewoods.Perhapstheythoughtmedead,whichmademefeelsorryandwishthatwordcouldbesentingmywelfare.

    Athome,Momwouldbeunpagboxesofdecorations,puttingoutthestableandthemanger,runninggarlandupthestairrail.ThepastChrist-mas,myfathertookmeouttochopdownasmallfirtreeforthehouse,andIwonderedifhewassadnow,withoutmetohelphimchoosetherightone.Ievenmissedmylittlesisters.WeretheywalkingandtalkinganddreamingofSantaClaus,wwhathadbee?

    "Whatdayisit?"IaskedLuchógashegedintowarmerclothes.

    Helickedhisfingeraintothewind."Tuesday?"

    "No,Imeanwhatdayoftheyear?Whatdayofthemonth?"

    "Ihavenoidea.Judgingbythesigns,couldbelateNovember,earlyDecember.Butmemoryisatrickythingandunreliablewhenitestotimeorweather."

    Christmashadnotpassedafterall.Iresolvedtowatchthedaysfromthenonandtocelebratetheseasoninanappropriatefashioherestofthemdidnotcareaboutholidaysandsuchthings.

    "DoyouknowwhereIgetapaperandapencil?"

    Hestruggledintohisboots."Noouldyouwahingsfor?"

    "Iwanttomakeadar."

    "Adar?Why,youwouldoreofpaperandanynumberofpencilstokeepadarouthere.Illteachyouhowtowatchthesunintheskyandta