“It’s BabyJesusansweredPete“andthat’swhywearegoingto
churchbeforethepartysomindyoukeepyourclothesclean”
“Good-oh”repliedBilly“CanIsitonmysleepingbagtoeatmy
breakfast?” Robyn passed him a bowl of cornflakes for an
answer.
Robyncastacriticaleyeovertheboys“Idon’tthinkawestern
hatisquitethethingtoweartochurchPete”
“Righto”grinnedPeteremovinghishat“Iwasonlyteasing
anyway”
“Iguessedthat”saidRobyn“butyoucannevertellwithboys-
youmighthavebeenserious!”
“Comeon!Comeon!”Billywaseagertobeoffhehadboth
pockets of his shorts crammed with toy vehicles and held a fire
engine in his hand.
“Justonetoy”orderedRobyn“oryou’relikelytolosethem- and
anywayallthosecarspushyourpocketsoutofshape”
Billyhadexpectedthisanswer“Okayjustthefireenginethen
Teddycanmindtheotherthings”headdedasheemptiedhis
pockets.
The streets were quiet and the air was warm as the children
walked to the church. They went in following a couple of family
groups and slipped into a seat near the side door. There were
many families with small children and each seemed to be
carrying a new toy.
After the service the children passed unnoticed among the crowd
of people. They walked in the direction of the Brotherhood
centre several blocks away, for the Christmas party.
“Thatwasagoodsong”remarkedBilly
“Whichone?”enquiredRobyn?
“Thesocksone”answeredBilly
“Socks?Socks?Whichonewasaboutsocks?”queriedPete
“Youknowtheywerewashingthem”explainedBilly
