FullReads

Once in a while Mother would come out of the parlor to look in the big closet, then she would journey back very quickly, holding the mysterious parcel tight under her apron or shawl so that they couldn’t see it. She would open the door, too, only the tiniest crack, to slip in sideways like a slender fairy. And though a radiance and splendor would shine through–like Heaven it was–they could never see what made it, and before they could say “Jack Robinson,” the door would be shut–tight shut–and–that was all.

“Oh, oh,” it was so hard to wait!

At last–about four in the afternoon–the signal was given. The Toyman made them all form in line in the dining-room, Mother leading, to show them the way, though they hardly needed a guide; poor little Mrs. Cricket next, for it wouldn’t be Christmas unless they made someone outside their own family happy; then Jehosophat, Marmaduke, and Hepzebiah–no, that is wrong, Hepzebiah ahead, as the boys had decided on “ladies first”; then Father and the Toyman, carrying little lame Johnny Cricket on his shoulder; and Black-eyed Susan bringing up the rear–a very big rear she was, Father said, for Susan weighed considerably more than her heaviest clothes-basket.

And so the doors opened!

“Glory be!” sang out Susan, and in that she expressed the feelings of every one in the long procession that entered the parlor. It was “glory”–that light, that shining, that radiance! Wreaths in the window, festoons overhead, presents heaped up in the corner and on the floor–and the Tree, the Tree!

It was covered with golden ornaments, and red and silver and blue, and it was draped with strings of popcorn and festoons of red cranberries, flung so gracefully over it, and everywhere, between the green twigs of the spruce and the red, and the gold, and the blue, and the silver of the ornaments and festoons, scores of little candles were shining brightly, twinkling like the stars–like very Heaven come down to earth before their eyes.

Life has many happy moments and many happy times to offer, but nothing more wonderful than a beautiful shining tree bursting on the sight after one has waited all day, no–really for weeks and months.

For ten minutes they all stood and gazed at that tree. Mother and Father were smiling happily; Susan clasped her hands and very properly said “Glory” again; the children danced; Mrs. Cricket wiped the corners of her eyes with her rusty-black shawl; and little Johnny Cricket just sat there in delight.

But where was the Toyman now? He had disappeared as mysteriously as had the tree after they brought it home. He must have forgotten something important, for he couldn’t want to do chores when there was that tree to look at.

However, the boys were eager enough, both yelling:

“Now for the presents!”

“Wait a minute, laddies,” said their father, “somebody’s calling.”

Now there was a telephone in the White House with the Green Blinds by the Side of the Road, a funny old-fashioned instrument, but a very useful one, nevertheless.

It was tinkling. Father went to it, and this is what they heard him say,–

“Hello! hello!” Then,–

“Why, is that you–“

He turned around to the folks in the room:

“Hush!” he warned them, “it’s Santa Claus.”

Then he turned to the telephone again, very surprised to be talking to so important a person.

“I’m certainly glad to hear from you. How are you?” said Father.

And he whispered to the boys:–

“He says he’s very well, “–then into the ‘phone:–

“That’s fine–we’re very glad to hear it.”

There was a pause, and Father’s voice exclaimed,–

“What! You’re not actually coming here? Well, I should say that’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time!”

And, smiling, he told this good news to the folks in the room.

“Doesn’t it beat all!” he said, “Santa Claus is coming here to pay us a visit.”

He spoke into the ‘phone again.

“How soon can you make it?–Fifteen minutes?”

He looked at his watch.

“Of course–we’ll wait for you.”