"It's too big," protested the seven.
Mr. Hodgkins laughed again. "I'll go over and talk to your mother about it," said he. "We won't cut the spruce down until Christmas week so it will be fresh and green. If I can make your mother believe this tree is just right, we'll most surely have a Merry Christmas."
The seven were disappointed.
"I think he's crazy," sputtered Chinky on the way home.
"I know he is," grumbled Johnnie, "that tree's high as our chimney."
"Never mind," said Hannah, "ma's got some sense if he ain't. She won't have that great big tree, don't you fret."
"That's right, ma knows what's what," added Chinky, kicking the bright snow from his path and straightening his shoulders. "She's got a lot of sense."
CHAPTER XIII
ON THE TRAIL OF SANTA CLAUS
Mrs. Mulvaney failed the seven.