The next day Larry brought up the finished shelves. Penny’s was lopsid ed. “But she tried hard.” He touched the sheen of his; the hinges moved smooth as oil. “Hey, mom,” he called, “ got any white tissue paper for wrap ping?” Outside the rain beat the window. That evening his father said, “Mr. Goodman called to ask if mother and I could come over after lunch tomor row and help with the last program decorations and props for the scenes. Do you suppose Penny and you could come over later, on your horses? Someone has to do the chores.” “ Sure, dad!” In the morning the rain had stopped. Larry’s father was relieved. “ I guess everything will be all right,” he said. As the parents got into the station wagon his mother reminded him, “ Get there by seven so I can help get you into your costumes.” Larry and Penny waved them up the lane. Larry milked the two cows as early as he dared, and curried Dollie and Speed. At 5:30 he saddled them. He tested the flashlight and jammed it in the big pocket of his jacket. Penny came out carrying the white gifts in heavy brown paper to pro tect them. It was getting dark. Pal watched miserably from the gate. “ Poor pooch,” Larry said. The horses’ hoofs pounded the mud dy, country road. Then Roaring River was just ahead. Almost at the bridge Larry pulled sharply on the reins. A sight and sound met his eyes he could not believe. The river foamed, roaring, practically to the bridge floor. As Larry stared one end of the bridge tore loose and whirled crazily into the dark water. Then, with a terrible wrenching, the entire bridge plunged into the swirling torrent. Penny cried out. Her fear made Larry strong. “ Don’t get scared, sis,” he shouted above the churning noise. “ But how will we get to church?” Penny shouted back. Larry studied the flood. “Wait here, Pen.” He turned Speed along the bank, flashing his light. “Have to get across,” he gritted. Speed was skittish. “ Steady, boy.” Larry patted him, then—alone in the night, he raised his face to the cloud ed stars. “ Dear Lord,” he said, “ we just have to get there. We have to bring Your white gifts.” When he looked at the water again, his fear was gone. Speed seemed to feel his confidence and chose his steps easily. A short way ahead Larry’s light picked out a wide, shallow looking place in the river.
The pastor listened, concerned. Then he looked at Larry intently. “ And you forded the stream to get here?” “ Yes, sir.” Larry gazed back earn estly. “We had to bring our white gifts for the King. We prayed, and God helped us.” Mr. Goodman laid his hand a mo ment on Larry’s shoulder, but said nothing. “ Excuse me,” Larry said, “ I have to get my costume on.” In a few minutes Larry and Penny slipped in among the other costumed children, carrying their gifts. The church was warm and Christmasy. The organ tones swelled, Silent Night. The tall tree shone white and gold. The congregation arose to sing. A little later Larry saw his father come in. Soon he was standing on the plat form, a staff in his hand, and Penny was leaning over the manger sing ing, “Sleep, Baby Jesus.” When the program ended Mr. G oodm an stepped to the front. “ Friends,” he said, the gifts we leave at the tree tonight are for the Mar tins. Our white gifts in the name of the King.” Larry felt the reverence as he fell into line. The white candles across the front waved bright flames as he passed. Then Mr. Goodman motioned for him, and for Penny, to come to the platform. Larry stood there in his Joseph costume, holding his white gift, and watched the worship on the faces of the people as they bent to lay theirs under the shining tree. The organ played softly, “Oh, Come, Let Us Adore Him.” As the music faded Mr. Goodman led Penny and Larry to the front of the platform. “Tonight,” the pastor said, “ I would like to present two who have brought more than white gifts. They have brought white hearts and brave hearts.” He told of their winning fight with Roaring River. The minister paused, “ Out there in the dark, by the rampaging stream, they prayed, because they had to bring their gifts—to the King.” Larry was afraid, for a minute, that he might bawl with the thing in him that wanted to break. He noticed his mom’s face shining; and his dad’s. When he leaned to lay his white gift at the tree Penny was there and he saw her face, like a star, with joy. He was alone, then, only it seemed like God was right there. “Thanks,” he whispered. He lifted his eyes and against the window the new snow was clustering thick. “ Thanks,” he said, again. END.
He turned and hurried back. “ I found a place,” he told Penny, “ I be lieve I can get across. “ I’ll tell you what; I’ll take your gift and you go on back home.” Penny stared at him. “ No!” I’ll go too, if you do.” But she started to cry. “ I prayed,” Larry said. “ Now I’m not afraid.” “ Did you? Let’s pray for me, too,” she said simply. They bowed their heads together. Then Larry led the way. “ Let me cross first,” he said. As Speed’s feet touched the rolling water he backed and snorted. “ It’s all right, boy. We’ll take it rea-1 easy.” Step by step Speed picked the way. Larry could feel the pony’s tightness against the surge of the stream. Then he was across! Jubilantly he motioned his light for Penny to start. He could make out her trying, but Dollie absolutely would not move. “Well, Speed,” Lar ry said grimly, “here we go again.” Soon his light showed Penny’s tight little smile. Talking to Dollie Larry took her bridle. The horse tossed her head but gradually gave in. Mid-stream Larry’s light showed a small circle, the night closing around them, and the dark water swirling about the horses’ legs. Penny gripped the saddle with wide, scared eyes until they climbed the opposite bank. Ahead, over on the road, Larry noticed the headlights of a car. As fast as possible Larry led toward it. It was their station wagon, stopped, the headlights piercing the raging water. Their father stood watching it. He turned as he heard them. “Where’d you come from?” he said in astonishment. Both tried to tell him. “We prayed,” Penny said. Her face was still a little white. “ Are we late?” Larry asked. “ No. I thought I’d better come and see if everything was all right. I noticed the river rising this afternoon. I think I’d better stay here until we get some red lanterns up. Tell Mr. Goodman when 'you get to the church.” “ I sure will, dad.” Larry slapped the reins and Speed broke into a gallop. Penny raced behind him. It was getting colder and a snow flake drifted, white on his dark jack et. Soon the snow fell thickly. Then the windows of the church shone, welcome. Larry tied their horses and they went in the side door. Their mother was waiting and Larry had to laugh at the look of relief on her face. “ You tell her, Penny,” he said, “ I have to see Mr. Goodman.” .
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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