The Procession.
III.
The children were up bright and early at Mr. Lee’s on Christmas morning. They had expected a visit from Santa Claus during the night, and the stockings had all been left so that he could easily find them.
Truly Santa Claus had been kind to them, for the stockings were not only well filled, but a table was also covered all over with fine things. There were all kinds of playthings, and books, and games, and pictures.
The parents of Frank and Flora were rich, and could afford to give them a great many nice things. I don’t think they cared so much for playthings as some children I have seen. They had so many of them that they did not value them as some poorer children would have done.
After Flora had emptied her stocking, and gathered up the books, games, and pictures that belonged to her, she told Frank she wished she had all the money they cost, so that she could give it to poor Mrs. White.
Frank said he wished he had the money for his presents, for he was sure it would make the poor widow happier than the things would him. But they were both very grateful to their parents for thinking of them,—for they knew that Santa Claus was only another name for father and mother.
All the little boys and girls don’t know this. Emma—that is one of my little girls—asked me if I did not take out the register, so that Santa Claus could get into the room, and fill up her stocking. But she is only four years old.
“Merry Christmas” rang through the house till breakfast was over, and then the children were in a great hurry to make the visit to Mrs. White. Mr. Lee had gone out early in the morning, and they were all sure that he would do every thing right.