‘Here are Bill’s skates and Belinda’s sewing-box with a lock and key,’ went on Santa Claus, reaching down first into one deep pocket and then into the other. ‘Put them on top of the blankets. And here is Ann Mary’s sleepy doll. You made her, Merrythought. She is one of your prettiest. This is Tom’s Jack-in-the-Box. What’s this? Oh, Matilda’s Jumping Jack. How he can jump! And here is Polly’s woolly lamb on green wheels with a bell round his neck. Now, just a little candy,’ finished Santa Claus, packing seven boxes neatly on the edge of the sled, ‘and we are off.’
Into the sleigh, fairly empty now, climbed Merrythought and Santa Claus.
‘Wait! My pie!’ exclaimed Merrythought, pulling it from his pocket. ‘I will break it in two and share with you.’
The pie was so small it could be eaten in two bites, but Santa Claus and Merrythought did not speak of that. They only said how good it was and how well Belinda baked for a girl of her years.
The little pie plate was made of tin, and as the sleigh moved off Merrythought took aim and sent it flying straight at the little front door.
Clatter! Clatter! Rush!
Out on the doorstep tumbled the seven children, head-first, pell-mell. They spied the toys, they seized them, they screamed for joy.
Santa Claus and Merrythought laughed aloud, they were so happy too.
‘My sled! My skates!’
‘A sleepy doll! She really sleeps!’