For the very first time sleepy-headed Bob woke before his employer. He rushed to the window; the van was there all right, reflecting the morning sunshine. On this particular morning the florist was in no hurry to begin the day. He had given his assistant a holiday, and looked forward to a quiet day by his fireside.
About half past nine, Bob, getting impatient, decided to suspend the bunch of keys from the handle of the door; then he fled, to watch the consequences. The jingling sound woke Mr. Mollett suddenly. He opened the door and the keys fell with a clatter at his feet.
“What’s this? What’s this?” he shouted, as he picked them up. “Keys? But these are car keys! Have they fallen from the sky?” Dumbfounded, the good man opened the shutters and looked into the street. A blue minivan, just like his own, stood before his door! Mr. Mollett’s heart missed a beat.
“You’re dreaming, Isidor! As if you were the only person who owned such a car!” However, the poor man could not calm his excitement. He dressed at top speed. He nearly fell down the winding staircase and darted into the street to the minivan. Through the window he could read the notice. His eyes filled with tears as he read the good wishes and the signatures, while Bob looked on, hidden in his corner, thrilled by the excitement of his employer.
At last he opened the car door, got in and examined it all over; then on a sudden impulse, he jumped out, locked the door, and burst into his house like a whirlwind.
“Bob, Bob!” he shouted. “Where is that joker, that dark horse, that rascal? Come here, so that I can hug you, and flog you, and your band of accomplices - each one a worse rascal than the last.”
A terrific noise ensued; the strident call of Lustucru, the parrot, the distracted rush of Achille, the cat across the kitchen; enthusiastic shouts of “Happy new year, Mr. Mollett!” and the house was invaded by a flood of boys, surrounding the little man, whose shrill voice cried out: “Whatever has happened to me? I must be going mad! Sit down, till I can collect myself enough to thank you. The surprise of my life! You’ll give me a heart attack!”
“Calm yourself, my dear sir,” spoke up Philip. “Don’t let your joy make you ill. We came to give you our greetings, and explain the presence of that minivan, which is the result of the persevering efforts of all these boys. Each one has worked as hard as his ability and time allowed, in order to return to you the car which they deprived you of, and for which you had so nobly renounced all recompense. As you know, it’s not easy to earn this amount, but God has helped us all, and this van which they have brought you is duly paid for, in excellent condition, and renovated throughout by Cyril and his employer. We wish it a longer life than its predecessor! The boys all wish me to tell you how much they have enjoyed working for you, and that having such an object has united them, and has given them pleasure that was worth far more than the trouble.”
“The Lord is good,” murmured the florist, much moved; “many thanks to you all. This one is really better than the other; I can’t believe my eyes.”
“Now we’ll leave you to enjoy it,” said Philip rising.
“It shall not be said that Isidor Mollett fails to observe the laws of hospitality,” cried the little man jumping to his feet. “Hello, Bob! The kettle on the fire! Which one of you fellows will go and buy a fruit cake, a big one, well decorated?” and he threw $5 on the table. Simon seized the bill and disappeared promptly. “That’s the boy for me!” said the florist approvingly; “he’s not indecisive!” Everyone burst out laughing. Mr. Mollett turned to Patrick.
“I suspect that all this was your idea,” he said. “A good guess,” said Philip.
“We were all agreed about it,” cried Patrick; “it’s thanks to Cyril that we found the way to do it; he worked the hardest.”
“We mustn’t forget our partners, Philip’s brothers, and all the Garnier family. What should we have done without them?”
“Our blueberries didn’t pay for one wheel,” said Luke; “it’s a thankless job picking them and nearly breaks your back.”
“You’ve certainly worked as hard as the rest,” declared Mr. Mollett, whose quick penetrating glance went from one to the other.
Simon now returned, triumphantly bearing a superb fruit cake, which made all eyes shine in anticipation. Bob was deputed to cut it into large slices, while Patrick poured cups of tea for everyone.
“Mr. Mollett, I have a favor to ask of you,” said Philip when the feast was over.
“Yes, yes, I grant it in advance - at least, anything but giving back the minivan!”
“That’s exactly what it is,” said Philip laughing. “We want to invite you and your minivan, as well as Bob, Simon, Charlie, Andrew, and Patrick and his family, for this New year’s day evening. Can you offer a ride for some of them?”
“I’ll bring fifteen, but not one more!” declared the little hunchback.
“You must bring Lustucru and Achille too. We want them to make friends with Ralph,” said Philip caressing the cat, which was installed at his knees. Simon was trying vainly to make the parrot repeat a German word, but it only threw him a disdainful look, saying sharply, “Get away, little boy!”
“This is a happier New Year’s day than the last one,” said Bob. “I wouldn’t like to live that one over again!”
“That reminds me of a very fitting verse,” said the florist, “but my memory fails me. Pass me the Bible, Bob - oh, dear, I’ve lost my glasses again! Take it, Patrick, and read this verse encircled with red.”
Patrick took the large Bible, its pages yellowed with age, and read in a clear voice: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:1717Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)).
“It is true,” said Mr. Mollett; “when one has God as his Father, he has everything. He gives us much more than we deserve.”
Philip’s glance went from one to the other of the boys seated round the little room. The Lord who had drawn them towards the Light, and who had begun in them a good work, would perform it until the end. (Philippians 1:66Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)).
THE END
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