Santa Claus. Well, really, my dears, these are very nice. Bless your little hearts, nobody has remembered me for some time, and that's a fact! Mr. Wright, how have these children been behaving themselves? Can I give them the nice things I have brought for them?
Father. Yes, sir! I'm happy to say, they have been very good, very good, indeed. Oh—— [aside] ——now I'm forgetting that rascal, Tom! [To Santa Claus.] That is—they've all been good except one—and he—a—well——
Mother [looking at Tom]. He is sorry now, I hope, Santa Claus, and will try not to do so any more.
Santa Claus. Oh! Ha-ha! you're talking about this fellow, are you? [Puts his hand on Tom's shoulder and draws him forward.] Well, he's just been explaining to me that it was all a mistake——
Father [sternly]. I hope he has not been trying to hide his misdoings from you, Santa Claus.
Santa Claus. Not at all, sir, not at all. He confessed like a man. But there is this about it that you didn't know. Somebody told him that I put whips in the stockings of naughty children. Well, he naturally thought I was to be distrusted—shocking way to malign me, wasn't it?—and of course he wanted to find out. So what did he do to test me but try to be naughty—acted it out to perfection, I've no doubt. Pretty severe on his brothers and sisters and parents, wasn't it? [Santa Claus and Father laugh.]
Mother. Why, Tommy, it's a pity you didn't just come to me and ask about it. It would have saved so much trouble. Why didn't you do that?
Tom. I never once thought of that way, Mamma!
Santa Claus. Well, my son, your thinking-cap is the only cap you don't have to take off in the house, so remember to keep it on, next time. Mr. Wright, I'm sure he feels sorry enough about his mistake to justify me in giving him his full share of presents. Come, children, look and see what I've got for you. I brought it last night, to have it all ready, and I think it ought to hold enough for all, don't you?