Summary

The first Christmas after Tabby’s death is dreary. The Gravesend Wheelwrights do not go to Sawyer Depot (Aunt Martha’s home) for the first time in John’s memory; his grandmother claims it would make them all even sadder for Tabby. John and Owen use Dan’s master key to explore the student dormitories while Dan is occupied with the Gravesend Player’s production of A Christmas Carol. Owen and John are forced to participate in the church’s production of the Christmas Story. Owen refuses to be forced to play, yet again, the Announcing Angel. John describes Reverend and Mrs. Wiggin’s absurd approach to the annual Christmas Pageant as thus: the smallest children are dressed as turtledoves, the prettiest girl portrays Mary, and a large supply of infants are kept in the wings in case the child playing baby Jesus begins to fuss...