Envious Casca

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It was a source of great satisfaction to Joseph Herriard that the holly trees were in full berry. He seemed to find in this circumstance an assurance that the projected reunion of the family would be a success. For days past he had been bringing prickly sprigs into the house, his rosy countenance beaming with pleasure, and his white locks (worn rather long, and grandly waving) ruffled by the December winds. Just look at the berries!" he would say, thrusting his sprigs under Nathaniel's nose, laying them on Maud's card-table.

"Very pretty, dear," Maud said, her flattened voice divesting her words of even the smallest vestige of enthusiasm.

"Take the damned thing away!" growled Nathaniel. "I hate holly!"

But neither the apathy of his wife nor the disapproval of his elder brother could damp Joseph's childlike enjoyment of the Festive Season. When a leaden sky heralded the advent of snow, he began to talk about old fashioned Christmases, and to liken Lexham Manor to Dingley Dell.

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