Winter has come to New Moon.
The winter is harsh and cold.
But daily life, as seen by Emily, is both fresh and enjoyable.
The cold does not bother her one bit.
Today is the day when the much anticipated Christmas party will be held.
I'm back, Cousin Jimmy!
Welcome back, Emily.
Elizabeth and Laura are looking for you.
They're in the kitchen, preparing for the party.
Thanks.
Those are beautiful.
Just wait until they're lit.
I'm sure they'll bring you new inspiration.
I'm back.
Welcome back, Emily.
Our friends and relatives will be arriving at five.
I'm sure there will be plenty of people.
Will Ilse be coming, too?
Certainly. The Burnley's are our close friends.
We shall be preparing the dessert at three, so come give us a hand later.
At three? All right.
I hope I find the thimble.
It's worth looking forward to, right, Emily?
Emily.
Yes, ma'am?
Let me see the soles of your shoes.
My soles?
Yes, the soles of your shoes.
Yes, ma'am.
What is it, Elizabeth?
Emily, were you skating?
No, I was not.
Do not lie.
I saw you skating outside.
That little bit of ice doesn't count-
Do not contradict me, Emily Byrd Starr!
Yes, ma'am.
Do not skate. Your soles will wear out.
To avoid her soles from wearing out, perhaps we should get her ice skates.
It's not just about the soles.
She'll get hurt if she falls.
A woman of the Murray family should not engage in a dangerous sport.
Is that understood, Emily?
I want you to promise.
What are you talking so loudly for, Elizabeth?
I am not talking loudly.
Actually, Emily was just skating outside.
Children should be playing outside.
She should spend more time outside.
And perhaps, spending a night outside would do her good.
Sleep outside? What if she contracts pneumonia?
Let's leave that aside for now.
In place of an examination fee, I was given this.
Thank you, this will be just right for the party.
It's too heavy for me to lug around anyway.
Emily Byrd Starr, do we have an understanding?
Yes, ma'am.
What's wrong with doing a little skating?
Seriously, Aunt Elizabeth's thinking is like...
Hard, old cheese?
Exactly!
Teddy suggested skating over at the lake.
You want to join in?
Aunt Elizabeth just gave me an earful about my skating.
Really? My dad doesn't care.
I envy you.
He's just not interested in the things I do.
Well, too bad. You'll just have to watch us.
Emily.
Oh, you're going to skate with those?
Yes, that's right.
Watch.
Watch, you say? You're terrible.
I'm just getting warmed-up.
Nice excuse.
Stop that, Ilse.
Watch where you're going.
You should watch where you're going, too.
Hey! Whoa!
Over here!
Watch it! Watch it!
Can't catch me!
Fun, isn't it?
Absolutely!
Wait up!
Hurry up!
Take that!
There!
Wait for me!
Here I come!
Are you all right, Emily?
Yeah.
Hey!
Perry!
I got this amazing Christmas wreath!
It's going to be hung on the front door!
Oh, we should be going back soon.
What's the time?
It's almost four.
I think it's about half past three.
What's wrong, Emily?
I have to help out in the kitchen at three!
I made a promise!
Emily?
Emily, we had an agreement.
You were supposed to come and help out at three.
Yes, ma'am.
Do you know how much trouble we had, because we were one pair of hands, short?
I'm sorry, I...
Our guests should be here soon.
Indeed.
As long as you realise your mistake.
Now, come help us out.
Yes, ma'am.
Emily, stop right there.
You were skating, were you not?
I-
Aunt Elizabeth, I...
Did I not instruct you not to skate?
You broke your promise.
Emily, you don't have to help out in the kitchen.
Go to your room.
Stay there and reflect on your actions, for tonight.
Tonight? What about the party?
Children who cannot keep their word are not allowed to attend.
You will spend the evening in your room.
You're not in, Emily?
Whoa!
Perry, it's going to turn dark before you reach Stovepipe Town.
Your aunt is waiting for you, isn't she?
Oh, yes!
Merry Christmas.
Aunt Elizabeth, please!
I shall accept any punishment you deem fit!
Please let me attend tonight's par-
No, Emily.
Aunt Elizabeth...
Good evening, Laura.
Merry Christmas.
Please, come in.
Merry Christmas, Miss Laura.
What is it, Ilse?
Emily, behave yourself.
Elizabeth, this is Catherine.
Thank you for having me.
A friend of Ruth is always welcome, naturally.
It would seem that Douglas Starr's daughter is absent.
Where's Emily?
We were looking at the snow fall, and Jimmy commented how she looked like a bride.
You're embarrassing me, Laura.
Really, now.
This is delicious, Cousin Jimmy.
I love white meat.
There's plenty more where that came from.
It's okay.
Aunt Elizabeth will give me another earful if she sees me eating in the bedroom.
I'm sure the party must be really fun.
Aunt Elizabeth is so cruel.
Why does she treat me... like this?
Is it because I'm not a real Murray?
Good Heavens! What is this?
Emily!
Jimmy, what is this about?
Well, Elizabeth... actually...
I brought her down.
I heard there was a little girl in this house and I thought it was strange that she didn't turn up.
But she was, in fact, confined to her room!
She must be being punished for her mischief again.
Locking her in her room, and having her eat there amounts to treating her like a convict!
A convict?
We had no such intention, really.
Please let me say this:
I have no family of my own.
Yet an adorable little girl is being treated in such manner here.
Don't you all think this is just too cruel?
This child barely looks ten.
I'm sure you've grown up plenty since then, right, Em'ly?
She's already eleven.
Her age doesn't matter.
You're always full of nonsense, Em'ly.
It's Emily, Aunt Ruth.
Are you making fun of me, Em'ly?
I say, Elizabeth.
This may not be the best time to suggest this, but why not let me adopt this child.
I have no children of my own, and I do think she's very adorable.
I can see there is no maid in this household.
Have you been making her do the housework?
I-If I may...
That's not true, Catherine.
If you stay with me, I promise you'll have a good life.
I shall give you the prettiest dresses and let you learn how to play the piano.
Also, I live near a large town.
I'm sure you will enjoy yourself.
Oh? Dresses and a piano?
If I could go, I would.
Listen, Catherine.
That child is not as easy to maintain as you think.
She's going to give you a hard time.
Look! She evens walks around with her laces undone.
Em- Emily.
Seriously, what a slovenly child.
What do you think, Emily? Won't you come with me?
I shall ask you to refrain from commenting about this child's upbringing, Ruth.
And Miss Catherine.
No, I must speak out.
Allow me to be frank.
You are in no position to comment on this child's upbringing.
As her family, it is our responsibility to know what is best for her.
This child is part of the Murray family.
Everyone, please help yourselves to the roast.
I think I shall have some fruit.
Of course, Ruth.
I shall have some of that turkey.
Dear Father,
I have a confession to make:
I was overjoyed.
Aunt Elizabeth, who I thought was always mean to me,
made it verbally clear that I am a member of the Murray family.
And I really liked the way Aunt Elizabeth wore that dauntless expression, when she said that.
Have you heard about the time that Aunt Nancy got herself married?
You mean that uproar when she announced she was going to marry Nat Priest?
That's right.
Elizabeth, we still have one of her old letters, don't we?
I'd love to see that.
All right, then.
Let us all have a look.
This is delicious.
Isn't it? I thought it was absolutely heavenly.
Oh, she's back.
Oh, isn't this just dear.
Hurry up and read it.
Maiden with brown, chestnut hair,
your auburn eyes are like the sun.
Your cheeks beam as bright as the roses.
Was Grandaunt Nancy that beautiful?
That was what they said back in the day.
Of course, that was nearly seventy years ago.
But the old lady is always full of life, whatever her age.
That old lady certainly knows how to live.
But when it comes to dying, she hasn't got a clue.
It's perfume!
That's my present.
Children should not be using perfume!
Don't worry; it's just an empty bottle.
But the scent is still lovely, is it not?
Thank you, Aunt Laura.
I'd like you to make full use of that, Emily.
You seem to have plenty of problems with your spelling.
Oh, my!
This is from me.
Thank you, Cousin Jimmy.
And this is from Perry.
It's a gift that suits you perfectly.
Oh, I got it!
Let us spare a moment to think about those of the Murray family who have since left us.
Father,
I am rather fond of the resonance of Uncle Wallace's voice.
It is deep, yet warm.
I remember about you, Father.
And about Mother, too.
Looking at her, it almost feels like Juliet has come back.
She's nothing like Juliet.
Thank you for your hospitality.
Please come again next year.
See you tomorrow, Emily.
Yeah, see you tomorrow.
Emily, this was how we, and Juliet too, used to see off our guests at Christmas.
It's snowing.
From deep in the wild valley,
I hear the faint sound of music.
With the echoes of distant bells,
the light radiates from the warm houses,
piercing through the snowflakes,
giving off a dazzling splendour.
Inspiration has come to me!
Emily.
Teddy!
This is for you.
Mother had some excess material, so I made it from that.
Thank you, Teddy.
Merry Christmas, Emily.
Merry Christmas.
Emily.
Promises have to be kept.
Be it a promise to others, or yourself.
Do not break another promise.
Is that understood?
Yes, ma'am!
Also,
you can start sleeping in Juliet's room, from tonight onwards.
Sleep with a hot water bottle. It will keep you warm while you sleep.
It's especially chilly tonight.
Aunt Elizabeth!
Merry Christmas!
Emily watched as the snow fell.
What was most amazing was that she didn't feel the cold at all,
and just stood there gazing.
We're going to have a picnic.
We shall eat boxed lunches and make ice-cream.
But I got into a fight with Ilse.
On the next episode of Emily of New Moon:
A Picnic by the Sea.
Watch for it!