"Hurrah for honest Maggie!" said Fred. "I hope Santa Claus is around somewhere, and heard you say that. He'll give you a reward for it."
"Children," said Bessie, "you talk as if Santa Claus yeally was."
"You don't mean to say he really is not!" said Fred. "Now, if he has heard you, Bess, he'll be affronted, and punish you, as he will reward Midget."
"I know who Santa Claus is," said Bessie, gravely, "and I wonder if it's yight to talk so earnest about him."
"Mamma said it was not wrong," said Maggie, "'cause every one knew it was only a joke, and no one meant to deceive; but it's fun to think about him and talk about him, so I am going to do it."
"I wonder how this notion of Santa Claus ever came about?" said Harry. "Let us ask papa."
But Mr. Bradford was too busy just then to attend to them, and said he would tell them at another time.
When Maggie and Bessie went up-stairs, their brothers went with them to assist in hanging up the stockings, and when nurse found what they were doing, she came too, bringing Franky's stocking and a tiny worsted sock.