"Not yet, Starling. Sit down and be quiet!"
"Your children have unusual names," twinkled the host gravely.
"That's what people say," the mother returned. "But we simply name them according to their characteristics. This one," nodding to the girl who had just gone back to her seat, "we call Starling, because she talks so much, and her sister there is Dove, because she is so gentle. Squirrel is the nimblest of them all and he is never still a minute. See him wiggling round now! This little one," reaching out a hand to the smallest of the four, "is Lark. because he sings so sweetly.—Can't you sing your new carol, dear?"
So the youngest of the Santa Clauses stood up obediently and sung a beautiful Christmas song about the Baby Christ. The applause was long and insistent.
"He'll sing again for you pretty soon," promised Mother Santa
Claus. "I think father is ready to distribute the presents now.
Come, children, run along and help him, and mind you all step
lively!"
The rosy-cheeked Saint took up a big parcel, and read off, in a clear voice, "Miss Katharine Crilly."
Starling was nearest, and took the package; but Miss Crilly, a little upset at being the owner of the first name called, jumped up and hurried across the room for her present, unheedful of mistletoe and the eyes that were watching her. Just inside the enchanted circle, the sudden hush of the room gave her its warning. She caught the eager glances directed beyond her, and turning her head uttered a startled cry. Almost at the same instant an arm shot toward her, missing its aim by scarce an inch. With one bound she cleared the invisible line of danger, and, scudding straight past Starling and her inviting parcel, stopped only at the detaining hand of her laughing hostess.
"Mercy sakes!" she cried, and her face rivaled in color the Santa
Claus reds, as she met the laughing eyes of her host.
She came back with her parcel, much flurried and still scarlet of face, while squeals of laughter and gay sallies rang about her.
After that there was more heed, and the distribution of presents went on without further hindrance.