Louisa May Alcott 
A Christmas Dream, and How It Came True 

I am so tired of Christmas I wish there never would be another one!’ exclaimed a discontented-looking little girl, as she sat idly watching her mother arrange a pile of gifts two days before they were to be given. ’Why, Effie, what a dreadful thing to say! You are as bad as old Scrooge; and I’m afraid something will happen to you, as it did to him, if you don’t care for dear Christmas, ’ answered mamma, almost dropping the silver horn she was filling with delicious candies…