“But the mouse!” cried timid Allspice. “What about the mouse?”
“Oh, yes, the mouse!” chorused the audience breathlessly. “What about the mouse?”
Cinnamon Stick said no word, but pointed a long thin finger toward the clock.
The clock struck one (which was really half-past five), the mouse ran down, and the chain clinkety clanked as he hopped to the floor and ran away to his hole, and was seen no more.
His disappearance seemed a signal, and at once was heard a joyful chorus. As the dolls sang they formed a procession, and two by two marched back to the clock and wound their way about the spiral columns.
The Pie Crust was at the head and settled down in the pan, its cover upheld as by an invisible hand. The dolls jumped into their places, the cover was slowly dropping, when suddenly up popped the head of the Vinegar Cruet.
“The Gifts!” he cried. “You forgot the Gifts!”
At that up popped every other head, crying in chorus:
“The Gifts! The Gifts! You forgot the Gifts!”
“No, I didn’t forget. They are on the way.”
As Mother and Jack watched, suddenly a red-coated, white, fur-trimmed figure appeared. On his back was a basket piled high with candy. He made his way to the clock, and as he stood over the pie he cried in the jolliest of tones:
“Open your mouths and shut your eyes, and I’ll give you something to make you wise.”
Open popped the dolls’ mouths, looking like a lot of birds, each waiting for a worm, and all were filled to the brim with sweets.
They then nestled down close together. The top crust settled in place. The flames flickered and died out; then all was still.
The next day was crisp and bright. Father came, and a joyous time they all had over their gifts.
The turkey dinner was delicious, and presently the mince pie appeared in all its glory.
Jack watched Mother cut it, and listened breathlessly for the “Ha! Ha! Ha’s,” and the “Ho! Ho! Ho’s,” but not a sound did he hear, till presently at the first mouthful Father cried:
“Best pie you ever made, my dear. For once you have it sweet enough!”
Jack and his mother merely nodded and smiled, but not a word said they!
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Mince Pie, by Josephine Scribner Gates