The Falsoms' Christmas Dinner

"The Falsoms' Christmas Dinner" by Lucy Maud Montgomery is a heartwarming short story that captures the essence of holiday spirit and the importance of generosity and community. Set against the backdrop of a small rural setting, the narrative revolves around the Falsom family, who face challenges during the Christmas season. As they prepare for their holiday feast, themes of kindness, compassion, and the significance of friendship emerge, illustrating how even the simplest acts can bring joy and warmth to the cold winter days. Montgomery's signature style weaves together emotions and vivid descriptions, making this story a delightful reminder of the true spirit of Christmas.

• Short story

								
"Well, so it's all settled," said Stephen Falsom.

"Yes," assented Alexina. "Yes, it is," she repeated, as if somebody
had questioned it.

Then Alexina sighed. Whatever "it" was, the fact of its being settled
did not seem to bring Alexina any great peace of mind--nor Stephen
either, judging from his face, which wore a sort of "suffer and be
strong" expression just then. "When do you go?" said Alexina, after a
pause, during which she had frowned out of the window and across the
Tracy yard. Josephine Tracy and her brother Duncan were strolling
about the yard in the pleasant December sunshine, arm in arm, laughing
and talking. They appeared to be a nice, harmless pair of people, but
the sight of them did not seem to please Alexina.

"Just as soon as we can sell the furniture and move away," said
Stephen moodily. "Heigh-ho! So this is what all our fine ambitions
have come to, Lexy, your music and my M.D. A place in a department
store for you, and one in a lumber mill for me."

"I don't dare to complain," said Alexina slowly. "We ought to be so
thankful to get the positions. I am thankful. And I don't mind so
very much about my music. But I do wish you could have gone to
college, Stephen."

"Never mind me," said Stephen, brightening up determinedly. "I'm going
to go into the lumber business enthusiastically. You don't know what
unsuspected talents I may develop along that line. The worst of it is
that we can't be together. But I'll keep my eyes open, and perhaps
I'll find a place for you in Lessing."

Alexina said nothing. Her separation from Stephen was the one point in
their fortunes she could not bear to discuss. There were times when
Alexina did not see how she was going to exist without Stephen. But
she never said so to him. She thought he had enough to worry him
without her making matters worse. "Well," said Stephen, getting up,
"I'll run down to the office. And see here, Lexy. Day after tomorrow
is Christmas. Are we going to celebrate it at all? If so I'd better
order the turkey."

Alexina looked thoughtful. "I don't know, Stephen. We're short of
money, you know, and the fund is dwindling every day. Don't you think
it's a little extravagant to have a turkey for two people? And somehow
I don't feel a bit Christmassy. I think I'd rather spend it just like
any other day and try to forget that it is Christmas. Everything
would be so different."

"That's true, Lexy. And we must look after the bawbees closely, I'll
admit." When Stephen had gone out Alexina cried a little, not very
much, because she didn't want her eyes to be red against Stephen's
return. But she had to cry a little. As she had said, everything was
so different from what it had been a year ago. Their father had been
alive then and they had been very cosy and happy in the little house
at the end of the street. There had been no mother there since
Alexina's birth sixteen years ago. Alexina had kept house for her
father and Stephen since she was ten. Stephen was a clever boy and
intended to study medicine. Alexina had a good voice, and something
was to be done about training it. The Tracys lived next door to them.
Duncan Tracy was Stephen's particular chum, and Josephine Tracy was
Alexina's dearest friend. Alexina was never lonely when Josie was near
by to laugh and chat and plan with.

Then, all at once, troubles came. In June the firm of which Mr. Falsom
was a member failed. There was some stigma attached to the failure,
too, although the blame did not rest upon Mr. Falsom, but with his
partner. Worry and anxiety aggravated the heart trouble from which he
had suffered for some time, and a month later he died. Alexina and
Stephen were left alone to face the knowledge that they were
penniless, and must look about for some way of supporting themselves.
At first they hoped to be able to get something to do in Thorndale, so
that they might keep their home. This proved impossible. After much
discouragement and disappointment Stephen had secured a position in
the lumber mill at Lessing, and Alexina was promised a place in a
departmental store in the city.

To make matters worse, Duncan Tracy and Stephen had quarrelled in
October. It was only a boyish disagreement over some trifle, but
bitter words had passed. Duncan, who was a quick-tempered lad, had
twitted Stephen with his father's failure, and Stephen had resented it
hotly. Duncan was sorry for and ashamed of his words as soon as they
were uttered, but he would not humble himself to say so. Alexina had
taken Stephen's part and her manner to Josie assumed a tinge of
coldness. Josie quickly noticed and resented it, and the breach
between the two girls widened almost insensibly, until they barely
spoke when they met. Each blamed the other and cherished bitterness
in her heart.

When Stephen came home from the post office he looked excited.

"Were there any letters?" asked Alexina.

"Well, rather! One from Uncle James!"

"Uncle James," exclaimed Alexina, incredulously.

"Yes, beloved sis. Oh, you needn't try to look as surprised as I did.
And I ordered the turkey after all. Uncle James has invited himself
here to dinner on Christmas Day. You'll have a chance to show your
culinary skill, for you know we've always been told that Uncle James
was a gourmand."

Alexina read the letter in a maze. It was a brief epistle, stating
that the writer wished to make the acquaintance of his niece and
nephew, and would visit them on Christmas Day. That was all. But
Alexina instantly saw a future of rosy possibilities. For Uncle James,
who lived in the city and was really a great-uncle, had never taken
the slightest notice of their family since his quarrel with their
father twenty years ago; but this looked as if Uncle James were
disposed to hold out the olive branch.

"Oh, Stephen, if he likes you, and if he offers to educate you!"
breathed Alexina. "Perhaps he will if he is favourably impressed. But
we'll have to be so careful, he is so whimsical and odd, at least
everybody has always said so. A little thing may turn the scale either
way. Anyway, we must have a good dinner for him. I'll have plum
pudding and mince pie."

For the next thirty-six hours Alexina lived in a whirl. There was so
much to do. The little house was put in apple pie order from top to
bottom, and Stephen was set to stoning raisins and chopping meat and
beating eggs. Alexina was perfectly reckless; no matter how big a hole
it made in their finances Uncle James must have a proper Christmas
dinner. A favourable impression must be made. Stephen's whole
future--Alexina did not think about her own at all just then--might
depend on it.

Christmas morning came, fine and bright and warm. It was more like a
morning in early spring than in December, for there was no snow or
frost, and the air was moist and balmy. Alexina was up at daybreak,

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