If I had a
Santy Claus suit, I'd dress up and hand 'em out myself."
Tom's face lighted with a bright idea. "My brother Bob's got a Santa
Claus suit that he used in a show last Christmas," he said. "Say, let
me dress up and play Santa for you. The girls would never guess who I
was!"
"Wouldn't they stare, though!" said Harvey, delightedly. "But do you
think you'd want to take time," he asked apologetically, "and you with
a new pair of skates and the ice like this?"
"Of course, I want to if you'll let me," said Tom. "I'll skate down
the river and meet you anywhere you say."
"Out in our back yard, then, at seven o'clock," said Harvey.
"All right, I'll be there!" and with head up, and skates clinking, Tom
hurried away.
It was a flushed, excited boy who burst into the Reynolds' quiet
sitting room a few minutes later, with his skates still hanging on his
shoulder and his cap in his hand. "Say, mother," he cried, "can I have
Bob's Santa Claus suit this evening, please? I'm going to play Santa
Claus for Harvey McGinnis!"
"Play Santa Claus for Harvey McGinnis. What do you mean, child?"
"You know Mrs. McGinnis, mother, that poor woman who lives in the
little house by the river. Her husband got killed on the railroad last
winter, you know. Well, Harvey, her boy, has fixed up some grand
looking dolls for his sisters and he wants me to come out and play
Santa tonight," and Tom launched out into a long story about Harvey
and his good fortune.
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