Arabella huffed. “I overheard one of the girls saying that this tree looked sad.”
“Then we shall decorate it.”
“Truly?” she asked.
Colin nodded. “I haven’t decorated a tree in ages,” he said. “It would be fun.”
A bright smile came to Arabella’s lips. “I agree.”
“We will need some sweetmeats and almonds,” he said. “I’m hoping the branches will support the extra weight.” He smiled to let her know that he was teasing.
She gave him an exasperated look. “I am confident that the tree can hold the weight of sweetmeats and almonds.”
“Perhaps, but one cannot be too careful,” he joked.
Colin walked over to the table and grabbed a few bags of almonds. As he started walking back to the tree, a young girl stopped him and asked, “Why are you decoratingthattree?”
“Because every tree deserves to be decorated.”
The girl lowered her voice. “But that tree is ugly.”
He smiled as he crouched down. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” he said.
She didn’t appear convinced as she turned her attention back towards the tree. “I’m not sure if that is true.”
Reaching into his waistcoat pocket, he pulled out a coin. “If you help me decorate the tree, you can have this farthing.”
Her eyes went wide. “Are you in earnest?”
“I am, but you can’t tell anyone I bribed you to help.”
“Why?”
He pointed at Arabella, who was busy placing sweetmeats on the tree. “That young woman thinks her tree is the most beautiful tree in the whole world.”
“Does she need spectacles?”
He chuckled. “No, but you need to pretend you like the tree.”
The young girl bobbed her head vehemently. “I can do that.”
“Good,” he replied, extending her the coin. “I do appreciate your help.”
As she clutched the coin in her little hand, the girl said, “I am going to get some toys to put on the tree. It might make it less sad.”
“That’s a good idea,” he agreed, rising. The girl ran towards the tables, and Colin walked back over to the tree. “I was able to recruit one of the girls to help decorate,” he revealed.
Arabella looked at him in surprise. “You did?”
“Yes.” He was pleased when the young girl appeared by his side. “She has offered to help.”
Arabella smiled at her. “What is your name?”
“Sarah,” she replied.
“I do appreciate your help in decorating this tree,” Arabella said. “We could use all the help we can get.”
Sarah returned Arabella’s smile. “I think toys will help with the gaps where the branches should be.”
