Short Fiction · Chapter
X: A Gay Christmas Eve explained
The narrator describes a lively Christmas Eve at the Grudges' home, where servants and family mingle democratically.
What happens
The narrator describes a lively Christmas Eve at the Grudges' home, where servants and family mingle democratically. The laundress Mrs. Stevens engages in witty banter, and the evening includes caroling, a baby's cry inspiring a song, and a charity mission on Christmas morning to a poor Italian family, where Mrs. Grudge plays a practical joke with a gull instead of a turkey. The chapter ends with the exchange of gifts and stockings.
Themes in this chapter
Satire of Media and Business
The narrator's witty repartee and the practical jokes highlight a satirical view of social customs.
Characters to notice
- Walter Donaldson
Present at the party, gets inspiration for a song from Mrs. Stevens' lines.
- Ella
Mrs. Stevens, the laundress, who is witty and participates in the festivities.
- Bert
Mr. Grudge, called Doc, suggests carols and gives horses as gifts.
Key passages
“Mr. Lardner,” she said to me as we watched Bera Grudge and the hostler trim the tree, “I suppose I may expect a present from you.” “Yes,” I replied, “and it will be something appropriate for a person of your calling. I am going to give you a cuff in the neck.””
Mrs. Stevens jokes that she expects a gift from the narrator, who retorts that he will give her a cuff on the neck, fitting for her profession.
Shows the playful, teasing relationship between the narrator and the laundress.
““Nevertheless,” said Mrs. Grudge, “what I gave him was a gull. He will open the bundle thinking it is a turkey or something else edible, and when he sees what it is, he will tell his kiddies the joke and the laughter will be general all day.””
Mrs. Grudge explains that she gave the poor family a gull instead of a turkey, expecting the joke to bring laughter.
Illustrates the Grudges' sense of humor and their charitable but mocking approach.