Christmas Conversion

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2><SPAN name="CHRISTMAS_CONVERSION" id="CHRISTMAS_CONVERSION"></SPAN>CHRISTMAS CONVERSION.</h2> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">I can see her in the kitchen,</span> <span class="i1">Apron on and sleeves rolled up,</span> <span class="i0">Measurin' spices in a teaspoon,</span> <span class="i1">Figs and raisins in a cup.</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Now she's throwin' apple quarters</span> <span class="i1">In that wooden bowl of hers,</span> <span class="i0">'Long with lemon peel and orange,</span> <span class="i1">An' she stirs, an' stirs, an' stirs.</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Then she takes her knife an' chops it,</span> <span class="i1">Chops so fast her hand jest flies.</span> <span class="i0">Now I know what ma is up to&mdash;</span> <span class="i1">Makin' mincemeat for the pies.</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">I smell Christmas in our kitchen,</span> <span class="i1">An' my heart gets big an' glad,</span> <span class="i0">An' I, somehow, fall to wishin',</span> <span class="i1">That I wasn't quite so bad.</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[186]</SPAN></span> <span class="i0">An' I tell myself I'll never</span> <span class="i1">Cheat at marbles any more,</span> <span class="i0">Nor make faces at my teacher,</span> <span class="i1">Nor hang round the corner store</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">'Stead of goin' on my errands;</span> <span class="i1">Never touch the cookie pail,</span> <span class="i0">Nor play hooky an' go skatin',</span> <span class="i1">Nor tie cans on Rover's tail;</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Never let ma think it's spellings</span> <span class="i1">When it's only Robin Hood.</span> <span class="i0">With the gladness comes the wishin'</span> <span class="i1">To be, oh, just awful good!</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">'Bout this time of year it takes me&mdash;</span> <span class="i1">Pa, he doesn't understand,</span> <span class="i0">Always says: "You sly young codger,</span> <span class="i1">You know Christmas is at hand."</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">But it isn't that, it's something&mdash;</span> <span class="i1">Can't explain it very well&mdash;</span> <span class="i0">Takes me when ma fills the kitchen</span> <span class="i1">With this juicy Christmas smell.</span> </div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">When she chops the spice an' raisins,</span> <span class="i1">With the peels an' Northern Spies,</span> <span class="i0">Sleeves rolled up above her elbows,</span> <span class="i1">Makin' mincemeat for the pies.</span> </div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />