Mrs. Ledwell beckoned to the children to come nearer. “Did you say you had seen this little boy before?” she asked kindly.
“Yes, once,” replied Johnny, promptly.
“It was the time the gentleman gave us the cakes,” said Maysie, eagerly. “They tasted awful good;” and Maysie almost smacked her lips at the thought of them.
The elder sister gave Maysie’s dress a little pull. “I’m not going to ask for any,” replied Maysie, in a loud whisper, “so you needn’t twitch my dress so hard.”
A smile came over Mrs. Ledwell’s face. “Would you like to buy some cakes to-day?” she asked.
“Yes,” replied Maysie, promptly, “but I’d rather buy a doll.”
“Why, Maysie,” said her sister, reproachfully, “I should think you’d be ashamed of yourself.”
“I ain’t,” replied Maysie, without any appearance of mortification. “She asked me, so there!”
“Yes, I asked her,” said Mrs. Ledwell, “and there is no harm in telling what she wants most, for Santa Claus is about, you know, at this time, and he has very sharp ears.”