"They are all for you and every one who comes to the Christmas party," declared the man. "Santa Claus says this house is the place for your party because it's bigger than yours and he brought these presents ahead of time because he is so busy he was afraid he might miss us on Christmas Eve."
"Aw," began Chinky, but checked himself and laughed. "Won't it be jolly," said he, "that is if you don't mind."
"Oh, I'm delighted," insisted Mr. Hodgkins, "only I've asked the minister to come and"—
"The minister," groaned Chinky, "what did you go and invite him for?"
"That's all right," interrupted Hannah. "You ought to have the minister to a Christmas tree, don't you remember?"
"It was like this, children," said Mr. Hodgkins. "Your mother said I was to make the speech, but I persuaded her that the minister could do it better."
"Bother the minister," whispered Mike.
"I thay tho, too," echoed Stubbins.
"THE SEVEN STOOD IN A ROW"