Then turning to her brother, she whispered as softly
as excitement would permit, "O Harvey, I'm afeard ye paid too much!"
"Aw, go on!" said Harvey, his face more like a full moon than ever.
"Don't ye know that Santy kin do whatever he wants to?"
The other dolls were received with raptures, Josephine stroking the
golden curls of the Lady Matilda with wondering fingers, and the baby
dancing round and round, waving the pink-robed Lady Clarabel above her
head.
"Mr. Harvey McGinnis!" came the gruff tones of Santa Claus; and Harvey
smiled over to his mother as he drew out a pair of stout cloth gloves.
"Mrs. McGinnis!" And that good lady smiled back, as she shook out a
dainty white apron with a coarse embroidery ruffle.
"I reckon Santy wanted you to wear that of a Sunday afternoon," said
Harvey, awkwardly.
"And I'll be proud to do it!" said his mother.
Little sacks of candy were next produced and everyone settled down to
enjoy it, thinking that the bottom of the big sack must be reached,
when Santa called out in tones that trembled beneath the gruffness,
"Another package for Mr. Harvey McGinnis!"
"Fer me--why--what--" said Harvey, taking the heavy oblong bundle;
then, as the sparkling "Club House" skates met his view, his face lit
up with a glory that Tom never forgot. The glory lasted but a moment,
then he turned a troubled face toward the bulky old saint.
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