CHAPTER XVII.
SANTA CLAUS.
"Well, what on earth are you schemers going to dress me in?" demanded Zebedee at breakfast the next morning. "I have no idea of playing Santa Claus unless I am properly attired."
"Oh, we stayed awake half the night planning a costume for you. You are going to be beautiful, you vain, conceited piece!" exclaimed Dee. "Dr. Allison has a red dressing gown—"
"I knew I would be the goat," said Father ruefully. "My red dressing gown is only ten years old, Tucker, so do be easy on it."
"Oh, we won't hurt it, Doctor," insisted Dum. "We are going to sew imitation ermine all around the bottom and front and sleeves,—and his whiskers—"
"Yes, do tell me about my whiskers! That is the most important factor in a Santa Claus costume."
"They are to be the flap off of an old white muff I had when I was a kid. Mammy Susan is digging it out of the old chest in the attic now."
"And your embonpoint is to be a down cushion out of the library," put in Dee.
"And your hat—my red silk toboggan cap with some of Page's tippet, that matches the muff, sewed in for hair!" from Dum.