December Excerpt of Violets Are Blue

Just like last month, we -- the ladies of Unsinkable -- are featuring Christmas excerpts from Violets Are Blue in honor of the most wonderful time of the year. I hope y'all enjoy reading!

Our tree had a small pile of presents underneath it, at which we gazed with wonder and excitement in our eyes. Mum, now dressed, handed out several packages.

“There is one present for each,” she said. “I am sorry dears, but that is all we could afford.”

“Don’t worry about it, Mum,” Emma spoke up quickly. “Thank you.”

Grace was already eagerly tearing through the paper of her package. “Girls!” she shouted joyfully.

“Paper dolls,” Anna corrected. “Look Gracie, there’s one with curls just like you!”

“Ooh!” Grace’s face wore a huge grin. 

“A ship!” Robby’s eyes gleamed as he unwrapped the somewhat small model. “I’ll put it by my bed! Father, could we take it down to the wharf today?”

Father nodded.

“I can’t wait to see if it floats! Oh Father, a real ship! Just like the Titanic! I wonder how many people she could hold? I’m going to call her…”

“Oh, do be quiet, Robby,” Helen snapped. She was glumly staring down at something red in her hands. “You don’t need to prattle on so. You’re being rude.”

Robert shut his mouth with an audible click. Mum glanced towards Father, who slowly shook his head.

“Helen, what have you received?” Father asked, his voice sounding cheery.

“This,” she answered, motioning unenthusiastically towards the pair of red mittens in her lap. “Just mittens. Plain, uninteresting mittens.”

Anna nudged Helen with her elbow. 

“I got blue mittens!” Anna said in a cheerful voice. “Just what I needed—my other pair was worn thin. And in my favorite color, too! Thank you, Mum.”

Mum beamed at Anna, then turned to Grace, who was struggling with her paper dolls.

“I got a green scarf!” Henry said, with a big grin on his face. He proudly displayed it in his left hand.

I saw Anna out of the corner of my eye nudge Helen, who quickly nodded and then stood up.

“We have a gift for everyone,” she said grandly. “Bring them in, Helen!”

Merry Christmas Eve! :)