It was Ann Mary, holding out her pie to Merrythought.
‘Here!’ said Ann Mary, her pigtails standing straight out with excitement. ‘Take it. It’s yours. I want to give it to you for Christmas because you haven’t any pie or anything. The other children will give me bites of theirs. They said they would. Take it. It’s for you.’
Merrythought took the pie. He almost wanted to cry, but he took a bite of crust instead.
‘Delicious!’ said Merrythought. ‘It is the best pie I ever ate.’
But at that moment Merrythought’s face grew very bright.
‘Just a minute,’ said he. ‘Don’t stir.’
He opened the door and looked out. He listened and listened again.
Just as he thought. He did hear Santa Claus’s sleigh-bells, faint and clear.
‘Wait! Wait for me!’ he shouted out into the snow. And there came an answering tinkle that told him Santa Claus had heard.
Then he turned back into the room.